NWC Successfully Generates Clean Energy At Heet And Ajyal Wastewater Treatment Plants

The National Water Company (NWC) has achieved a milestone by generating clean energy through wastewater treatment at the Heet plant in Riyadh and the Ajyal plant in the Eastern Region. This initiative involves converting emissions from wastewater processes into energy, transforming sewage treatment plants into eco-friendly facilities. The goal is to enhance sustainability, reduce costs, minimise pollution, and ensure safe water supply with high-quality services.

NWC has outlined three main initiatives to produce renewable clean energy. One focuses on managing sludge from wastewater treatment for biogas and energy production. Another involves deploying decentralized wastewater technologies in rural areas. The third aims at implementing cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies for treating wastewater and sludge.

The company is ready to launch an initiative to generate electricity by producing biogas from sludge using advanced technology. Two plants have been selected for this project: Ajyal in the Eastern Region and Heet in Riyadh. Biogas production involves anaerobic digestion of sludge, where organic matter is broken down by bacteria to produce methane gas, which is then used as fuel for electricity generation.

NWC reported that 600 kWh of electricity was generated from biogas at the Ajyal plant, meeting 30% of its electricity needs. At the Heet plant, approximately 2,800 kWh was produced, covering 46% of its basic electrical requirements. This clean energy generation reduces greenhouse gas emissions, protecting soil, groundwater, and surface water from pollution.

The economic benefits of NWC's Clean Energy Initiative include reduced financial costs and resource conservation by transforming sludge into an economic asset. The digested sludge can be repurposed as fertilizer, enhancing agricultural land quality and boosting yields. This aligns with NWC's vision to optimise sludge reuse for environmental protection and sustainable development.

"At NWC, we have a vision and an environmental commitment to provide and ensure world-class water services across the Kingdom," stated the company in a release. This effort supports Saudi Arabia's goals under Vision 2030 to address water pollution and promote treated water reuse.

NWC is collaborating with relevant authorities to secure permits for producing biogas and renewable energy for its plants' use. By doing so, they aim to further their commitment to environmental sustainability while achieving significant cost savings through innovative solutions.

With inputs from SPA