At the Fonsalía desalination plant “This is the first time that seawater has been desalinated with a microbial desalination cell” and has “the largest plant in the world with this unique and innovative technology”, although its capacity is “relatively low” so it obtains four cubic meters of drinking water per day.
This project is funded by the European Union at a cost of 8 million euros. 120 partners from seven European countries participate in its development, according to Víctor Monsalvo, head of the Eco-efficiency department of the Aqualia company. “It is the only innovative project in the water sector selected by the Government for the Dubai Expo 2022.”
The president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martin, stressed that the Mides project “will reduce the energy cost of water desalination processes on the island, one of the most pressing problems in Tenerife.” Values that it is an initiative of “special interest” for the Canary Islands and Tenerife. The results of its development will determine its replication in other parts of the island. For Martín, Mides is one of the most important research projects in which the Tenerife Council has been involved.
«We have to articulate measures to favor a transition towards a much more sustainable energy model ”, indicated the island councilor for Sustainable Development and the Fight against Climate Change, Javier Rodríguez. He assured that the Insular Water Council is “the largest consumer of electricity on the island”, but since 2020 “one hundred percent” of its consumption comes from renewable sources. For the insular councilor, the Guía de Isora desalination plant “is the backbone and will adequately treat the wastewater from Santiago del Teide and Guía de Isora.” Both councilmen, Emilio Navarro and Josefa Mesa, respectively, as well as Javier Davara, manager of the Ciatf, attended the presentation of the project, accompanied by Fran Blanco, director of the Aqualia company in the Canary Islands.
With the development of this project, Aqualia reinforces its alliance with the Canary Islands Administration in its involvement in the search and development of eco-efficient systems that lead to the continuous improvement of the quality of the services offered by the company.
