In conversation with Ahmed Al-Shamsi, CEO of TAQA Water Solutions

What are the emerging market opportunities and trends in the sectors in which TAQA Water Solutions operates?

Recycled water is an increasingly important solution to ensuring water security. This is coupled with a determination among governments to set strategic targets to reduce water consumption, encouraging behavioural change, and limiting the use of non-renewable groundwater and advancing non-traditional water supplies such as recycled and desalinated water.

Crucially, policymakers are prioritising wastewater treatment and reuse, but more can be done to incentivise water circularity practices within communities. Beyond just water recycling, this includes exploring the use of renewable energy to power the treatment plants, repurposing produced biosolids for beneficial uses and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise operations and improve efficiency. Water recycling is not only considered a cost-effective solution, but also an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly one, in light of current water challenges such as the depleting groundwater resources. 

These trends are fully aligned with the strategic approach TAQA Water Solutions is taking locally and internationally to develop, operate and manage large-scale water recycling facilities to achieve long-term water security. We are also actively exploring and implementing solutions that incorporate renewable energy, biosolids management and AI-driven optimisation, to further enhance the efficiency of our operations.

How do advanced water recycling and reuse systems contribute to enhancing water security, and how is TAQA Water Solutions working to ensure its solutions are future-proof and sustainable?

As communities worldwide face dwindling water resources, technology plays a central role in providing solutions to the water operation optimisation. Advanced water recycling and reuse systems minimise the stress on natural water resources, cost-effectively reduce carbon emissions and encourage new industries in water technology. According to Smart Water Management Market, this is reflected by the fact that the smart water management market is projected to grow from $16.6bn in 2023 to $28.2bn in 2028.

New technologies come in the shape of integrated sensors, real-time monitoring tools and data analytics that help automate detection of potential issues in our assets. We are developing a comprehensive Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system across our treatment infrastructure, that will enable us to operate our extensive network, spanning approximately 13,600km, more efficiently, reduce our carbon emissions by 13% and improve wastewater treatment capacity by 20%.

Through continued strategic investments, innovative solutions such as our user-friendly water tanker truck App and expanding our robust network infrastructure, we actively contribute to the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036 and Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.

Do the recent deals signed in Central Asia, specifically in Uzbekistan, reflect key areas of emerging opportunity for TAQA Water Solutions?

Absolutely. Central Asia, and Uzbekistan in particular, represents a significant growth market for TAQA Water Solutions. The region is facing increasing pressure on its water resources due to population growth, agricultural demands and the impacts of climate change. This creates a critical need for innovative and sustainable water management solutions.

Our new partnership with the New Tashkent City Directorate exemplifies this vision. Building on our success in developing Tashkent’s largest wastewater treatment plant, we are now exploring a second large project: a 65km raw water transmission pipeline and a large-scale water treatment plant. This ambitious project will provide reliable, clean water for approximately 2 million people in the soon-to-be rapidly growing New Tashkent City.

This project is about building a resilient and sustainable future for Uzbekistan, and it demonstrates our commitment to providing comprehensive water solutions, from wastewater treatment to clean water delivery. Furthermore, it positions TAQA Water Solutions as a key partner in Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernise its water infrastructure and ensure long-term water security. We see significant potential for further collaboration in the region as we continue to leverage our expertise and technology to address the growing water challenges. 

How does TAQA Water Solutions’ approach align with the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy?

We support this in many ways. We have already achieved a regional milestone of 80% recycled water utilisation in Abu Dhabi and are targeting 100% utilisation by 2030. This enables us to actively contribute to the realisation of the UAE’s goal of 95% recycled water utilisation outlined in the Water Security Strategy 2036 and the Net Zero 2050 ambitions.

We deliver high-quality recycled water for agriculture, from the verdant forests in Al-Ain to the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and industrial applications including for metalworks, textile and district cooling, reducing reliance on freshwater resources and promoting less energy-intensive management. We are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to meet these targets and will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing national and global sustainability goals while advocating water circularity.

We also believe everyone can play a part in striving for sustainability. That’s why, during the UAE’s Year of the Community, we will be doing more to encourage collective action and support everyone to do their part by reducing everyday water consumption and preserving it as a precious natural resource.

Find us at the World Utilities Congress (27-29 May) where we will showcase our latest water solutions that contribute to the realisation of the UAE’s net zero objectives.

Click here to visit TAQA Water Solutions

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