Palm Utilities nominated for 'Membrane Desalination Plant of the Year' at GWI Global Water Awards 2009

Palm Utilities nominated for 'Membrane Desalination Plant of the Year' at GWI Global Water Awards 2009


Palm Water's Palm Jumeirah Crescent project cited for technological breakthrough that offers enormous potential for future projects in the region

March 17, 2009
Palm Utilities, a fully-owned subsidiary of Istithmar World PJSC, a major investment holding company incorporated in the Dubai World Group, has announced that Palm Water has been nominated for an award in the GWI Global Water Awards 2009, which will recognise outstanding achievers in 11 different categories during a special ceremony on April 27 at the Zurich Marriott Hotel, Switzerland. Palm Water's Palm Jumeirah Crescent project has been selected as one of the candidates of the Global Water Awards 2009's "Membrane Desalination Plant of the Year" category, having been recognised for its technological breakthrough and enormous potential for future seawater projects in the region.

The Palm Jumeirah Crescent project has been selected as one of the candidates for the prestigious award along with similar projects in Saudi Arabia, Australia and Spain. The nomination reaffirms Palm Utilities' strong reputation among its global peers after it was awarded the coveted "Water Deal of the Year" for Palm Water's Jumeirah Golf Estate project during last year's GWI Global Water Awards.

"Palm Water's nomination again reflects the successful growth strategies that Palm Utilities has implemented in 2008. Furthermore, it reassures our clients that we remain dedicated to provide world-class and premium-standard services and water solutions that are duly recognised and appreciated by our peers in the industry. This nomination is also an excellent way to recognise the efforts and hard work of all members of the Palm Jumeirah Project Team" said Mahmoud Al Hindi, Operations Director, Palm Water.

The Palm Jumeirah Crescent is the first of a pair of seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants in the Palm Jumeirah resort, which will have a combined capacity of 64,000m3/d. The project combines ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in a design that has proven itself to be robust against tough environmental conditions.

The use of UF pre-treatment membranes for seawater desalination on a large scale in the Middle East was a significant technological breakthrough that was highlighted by the GWI Global Water Awards, as it offers enormous potential for future seawater projects in the region.

The GWI Global Water Awards recognises global efforts that address various challenges in the water sector. The winners of the Award are decided through free voting by subscribers of GWI, WDR and members of the International Desalination Association and International Private Water Association. Winners of this year's Awards will receive their prizes from former US Vice President Al Gore.

Other categories of the GWI Global Water Awards 2009 are Water Company of the year, Desalination Company of the year, Public Water Agency of the year, Water Deal of the year, Desalination Deal of the year, Water Project of the year, Thermal Desalination Plant of the year, Water Reuse Project of the Year, Industrial Water Project of the Year and Sustainability Award.

Palm Utilities, through its two primary divisions of Palm District Cooling and Palm Water, has been established to address the region's unique requirements in the distinctly critical areas of cooling and water. With its aim of sustained long-term growth, Palm Utilities intends to pursue new core business activities within other utilities, including domestic gas, power distribution, sustainable energy and environmental waste management.