The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) has announced that it has set a new global benchmark for energy efficiency in desalinated water production, earning a place in the Guinness World Records.

According to SWA, a mobile reverse osmosis desalination plant with a capacity of 200,000 cubic meters per day, located at the Yanbu desalination complex, achieved an energy consumption rate of 1.55 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter (kWh/m³), the lowest recorded globally.

The previous benchmark was held by the Shuaibah 5 desalination plant, a 664,000 m³/day facility, which recorded 1.7 kWh/m³. This itself marked a significant improvement from its earlier level of 2.34 kWh/m³.

SWA noted that conventional desalination plants typically consume 4-5 kWh/m³. The improved efficiency was attributed to the integration of advanced reverse osmosis membranes, energy recovery systems, optimized pre-treatment processes, and partial reliance on solar power.

Shuaibah 5 operates as an Independent Water Project owned by a consortium that includes Advanced Water Technology and Rawafid Industrial, with a mandate to reduce energy consumption to below 2.75 kWh/m³.

The Yanbu milestone was achieved in collaboration with the Saudi Water Innovation Center, the Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancements, and the Saline Water Conversion Corporation.

SWA and state media said the plant’s operational model incorporates environmentally efficient technologies and advanced filtration systems, enabling scalability and adaptability across different environments. The facility occupies less than 3,000 square meters, reflecting efficient land use.

The authority said the achievement is expected to lower operating costs, enhance resource sustainability, and improve the reliability of water supply.

Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s largest producers of desalinated water, with output exceeding 11.1 million cubic meters per day. The Kingdom aims to reduce energy consumption across the water sector by 30% by 2030, making desalination efficiency gains a key national priority.