Male' Water and Sewerage Company Private Limited (MWSC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norway-based Flocean Company to conduct a feasibility study for a subsea reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system in the Maldives. The agreement was signed by Managing Director of MWSC Abdul Matheen Mohamed and Managing Director of Flocean Alexander Fuglesang.
At the signing ceremony, Matheen highlighted the benefits of a subsea desalination system, noting that it would eliminate the need for land and operate more cost-effectively underwater. He emphasised that the study will aim to identify the most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly methods for water production in the Maldives.
Matheen also revealed that the proposed site for the system is approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Hulhumale', at a depth of around 500 meters, where the water has lower salinity. He noted that Flocean, the company selected for this study, has significant expertise in establishing subsea desalination systems.
MWSC stated that the feasibility study will encompass technical aspects of installing the desalination system, including underwater research, environmental impact assessments, and financial projections for water production. If successful, the project could significantly enhance water production and storage capacities to meet the increasing demand driven by population growth.