Project Overview

The Sorek desalination plant is one of the largest seawater desalination plants in Israel. This desalination plant produces 6,40,000 cubic meters of potable water per day. It is situated in Tel Aviv Soreq built by SDL (Sorek Desalination Company Ltd), a consortium of two companies IDE Water Technologies and Hutchison Water. It was built under BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) for 26.5 years. 

It began its operation in 2013 and fulfills 20% of the municipal water demand in Israel. This plant can produce up to 150 Million cubic meters of water per year. Sorek seawater desalination plant uses reverse osmosis water technology and is widespread in 10 hectares. 

This desalination plant project is one of the world’s largest SWRO (Seawater reverse osmosis) desalination plants designed to meet the requirements for low boron and chloride concentration water types. Israel Water Authority is a customer of the Sorek desalination plant.   

The Sorek desalination plant is unique with an environmentally friendly design that prevents environmental disruptions. It includes low chemical consumption, a shift towards clean natural gas, and pipe jacking for water intake and brine disposal. This seawater desalination plant is further expanded to Sorek B or Sorek II with a desalination capacity of 670,000 cubic meters per day. 

Project Background

An SDL consortium was formed by IDE Technologies and Hutchison Water to increase the water resources and enhance the sustainability of Israel’s water security. It was built under the BOT contract for 26.5 years. EIB (European Investment Bank) supported this project by sanctioning USD 153 Million. It began its construction in mid-2010 and was commissioned in 2013.  

As a part of the environmentally friendly design, it includes pipe jacking for water intake and brine disposal. The off-shore pipe jacking is 3.6 kilometers long whereas the on-shore pipe jacking is 6.15 kilometers long. The intake pumping station is located 2.4 kilometers from the seashore. 

It is designed with a regular backwash treatment to ensure the longevity of the filters in the water treatment plant. Other equipment includes 48 Sand filters, 16,420 vertical 16-inch membranes, and a power substation of 22 kilovolt amperes. 

The low chemical consumption and use of clean natural gas minimize and prevent environmental disruptions. It was awarded the Desalination Plant of the Year by Global Water Awards in 2014.  In 2018, IDE sold Sorek 1 to Dan Capital under the deal to bid on a BOT tender for Sorek II.   

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Project Timeline

Project Scope

The main objective of the Sorek desalination plant is to produce 150 million cubic meters of clean water per year. Currently, it contributes to 20% of Israel’s water consumption. Its unique engineering design includes a 16-inch vertical membrane arrangement for high volume capacity and 10 km long pipe jacking of large-diameter pipelines that minimize marine, shoreline, and land impacts. 

It was the largest plant in the Middle East blending desalinated water with fresh water from national water carriers to improve water quality. Thus, reducing water hardness and concentration of salts, boron, and nitrates.

The Sorek II or Sorek B is a brownfield project built as one of the largest desalination plants in the world with a capacity of 670,000 cubic meters per day. Combining the advanced and innovative technologies, Sorek II ensures to optimize energy and reduce chemical usage making it the next generation of desalination plant’s design. 

Sorek Desalination Plant Cost

The Sorek desalination plant cost proposed by EIB Finance is up to USD 165 Million. The EIB and Bank Leumi International are the major investors in this project. The project was initiated on 15th February 2010. 

The SDL company signed in for a loan of USD 153 Million for the construction of the Sorek desalination plant through EIB on 26th May 2011. The total project cost has currently been estimated to be USD 489 Million. This includes contingency costs and Interest rates during the time of construction. The construction period of this period was 2.5 years. 

Earlier, In 2007 and 2009 the EIB supported the Hadera desalination plant (one of the top 5 desalination plants in Israel) with a total loan amount of USD 1.13 Billion. The financing of these projects is a part of EIB’s support to contribute to improving wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, improving the drinking water supply in the regions. 

Contractors & Investors

The EIB, Israeli, and International Leumi banks formed a consortium to finance this project. This includes EIB with a financial loan support of USD 153 Million. IDE Technologies and Hutchison Water Holdings Ltd formed a consortium company SDL. It was under the BOT contract for 26.5 years from the year of commission.

This project includes IDE Technologies Ltd with a 51% share and Hutchison Water with a 49% share.

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Benefits of this project

The Sorek desalination plant reduced the severe water scarcity impacts by providing water security for many years. Below are a few key benefits of this project

Contributing to Israel’s Water Demand

The Sorek desalination plant is providing 20% of its domestic water demand. Thereby, contributing to reducing water shortage in Israel. With its expansion through Sorek II, the overall capacity of the Sorek plant is expected to secure water resources for millions of people. 

Improved Water Quality 

The Sorek desalination plant with innovative desalination technology manages to reduce water hardness and concentration of salts, boron, and nitrates improving the overall water quality. Its backwash treatment helps the longevity of filters and consistent water quality.

Innovation in Desalination

The use of a 16-inch vertical membrane arrangement is unique to the Sorek desalination plant which ensures higher flow capacity through the vessels and fasters the filtration process in SWRO. 

Environmental Friendly Design

The 10 km pipe jacking of large diameter pipelines, helps in minimizing the environmental disruptions to marine life and shoreline. The use of low chemicals and a shift towards clean natural gas ensures keeping the environment safe.

Sorek Desalination Plant: Phase II

The Sorek II desalination plant is being built with a capacity of 200 million cubic meters of drinkable water annually. It is anticipated to be one of the largest desalination plants in the world. The project is developed by SMS IDE Ltd company. It received a loan amount of USD 162 Million (approximate) as a proposed finance amount to start with the construction. It is likely to be commenced by 2024. 

Conclusion

The Sorek desalination plant is one of a kind with a capacity of 150 Million cubic meters of potable water per year. It contributes to 20% of Israel’s drinking water needs. It was built by an SDL company and was financed by EIB, Leumi International, and other local investment banks with a total cost of USD 489 Million including the interest rates. 

It is one of the largest desalination plants in the world and was awarded Best Desalination Plant of the Year award in 2014 by Global Water Intelligence. It is further expanded to Sorek II or Sorek B is likely to be commissioned by 2024.

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