Construction of Sorek – The World's Largest Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant
IDE Technologies Ltd. & Hutchison Water International Holdings Pte.Limited commence the construction of the Sorek plant in Israel
Tel–Aviv, Israel, January 16, 2011 – SDL (Sorek Desalination Ltd) - a company formed by IDE Technologies (51%) and Hutchison Water International Holdings Pte. Limited (49%), was selected by the Government of Israel, in a tender process, to build and operate the Sorek desalination plant – the largest of its kind in the world, with a planned total capacity of 150 million m3/year.
The Sorek Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) facility, to be completed in 2013, will be constructed under the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model. The facility is a significant achievement for the SDL consortium in both capacity and low water cost of just ~US$0.50 per cubic meter, resulting in substantial savings for the Israeli water market.
The Sorek desalination plant footprint will be approximately 600 meters long by 170 meters wide. The use of advanced membrane desalination technology that includes the world's first implementation of 16 inch membranes in a large-scale facility, results in increased water output, cost savings and a reduction in energy consumption. The plant will produce high quality water to be delivered directly to the national water distribution system.
Avshalom Felber, IDE’s CEO stated: “This is a groundbreaking facility that continues the tradition of IDE’s Hadera & Ashkelon plants, which have been in service since 2005 & 2009 respectively. The success of the mega-desalination plant concept has ushered in a new era of plentiful, affordable water for Israel's specific needs in particular, and for a world facing severe water challenges in general. IDE has achieved one of the lowest-ever costs for high quality desalinated seawater, continuing its tradition of setting the industry price benchmarks as in the Hadera and Ashkelon projects.
Amikam Cohen, Hutchison Water's CEO said: "the construction of the Sorek desalination plant is an exciting technological challenge, for which the constructing company deploys the best technologies worldwide to produce in Israel high quality water at very low prices. Hutchison Water is proud to be part of this SDL project and to contribute to the project its experience, know-how, the capabilities of its team members and those of Hutchison Whampoa globally. The plant we are beginning to build today at Sorek is a milestone in the operations of Hutchison Water, and a milestone in the history of desalination in Israel.”
About IDE Technologies Ltd.
IDE Technologies is a world leading desalination company. Since 1965, the company has built 400 desalination plants in 40 countries worldwide, with a cumulative installed capacity of over 2,000,000 m3/day. IDE's technologies for optimized, high-end thermal and membrane (Reverse Osmosis) desalination are recognized as the most advanced in the world. The company designed, built and currently operates the largest SWRO desalination plants. Its customized desalination plants provide high quality water for use in industries, mines, refineries and power stations, as well as for drinking water and agriculture.
IDE is jointly owned by two of Israel’s largest industrial enterprises: ICL Group (50%), one of the world’s leading fertilizer and specialty chemicals companies, and Delek Group (50%), the leading energy & infrastructure group based out of Israel.
For further info on the company, please visit our web site: www.ide-tech.com
About Hutchison Water Pte. Limited
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL) is a leading international corporation committed to innovation and technology with businesses spanning the globe. Its diverse array of holdings range from some of the world's biggest port operators and retailers to property development and infrastructure to the most technologically-advanced and marketing-savvy telecommunications operators. HWL operates in 53 countries has approximately 220,000 employees worldwide.
Hutchison Water is a new division of Hutchison Whampoa Limited. The division is focused upon global provision of services globally in areas of desalination, wastewater treatment water re-use and water technologies.
PR Contact:
Meirav Kavalsky-Brami
Marcom Manager
IDE Technologies Ltd.
Tel: +972-9-892-9841
Mobile: + 972-52-5580437
E-mail: meiravkb@ide-tech.com