Article

Algeria's desalination system, primarily based on reverse osmosis (RO), faces significant challenges due to increasing turbidity and operational downtime, averaging 1,680 hours per year across plants. A proposed hybrid MED+RO system, combining 1/3 thermal and 2/3 membrane technology, ensures operational resilience by allowing MED to function independently during RO failures.

While initial costs are 28% higher, long-term savings from reduced membrane replacements lead to a break-even point at year 16. Algeria plans to boost its desalination capacity to 5.3 million m³/day by 2030 to address a water deficit of 7 billion m³ annually, amidst rising climate pressures affecting water security.