The resolution also called on the private sector, operators and consultants to give their opinion in order to properly manage any project’s consultation process and consider its feasibility study before it is submitted.

Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah Al-Hussayen inaugurated the event on Sunday on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

The conference also stressed to owners the need to adopt the overall economic cost for the project during the selection of the type of desalination technology to be applied in any project including operation and maintenance and not to depend only on the capital cost of the scheme.

It also sought encouragement to develop a mechanism for consolidating and standardizing a set of general specifications for the units that produce desalinated water and stations, especially in terms of the production capacity of the unit and specifications of materials. This will provide more competition among manufacturers.

This will also further provide further research on the various kinds of alternative and renewable energy taking into consideration the rising prices of fossil energy. The recommendations also included continuing to hold professional panel discussions and focus on providing practical and applied experiences. Participants also asked to have the exhibition on the sidelines of the conference on the latest technologies offered by manufacturers to take into account the standards and environmental requirements in the design of desalination plants, especially on the quality of fuel used in desalination plants.

The participants expressed their appreciation to the General Organization for Water Desalination in Saudi Arabia especially with regard to its experience of environmental requirements.