Europe’s Largest Solar Water Desalination Plant
About
Overview
Location
Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Type
Solar-PV powered desalination
Capacity
792,000 GPD
Product quality
Potable
Distribution
Local
Technology type
Reverse osmosis
Land footprint:
Output:
Solar energy and fresh water
Facilities
3
Project description
Since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022, Mykolaiv has faced relentless bombardment, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure, including the central water supply network. With the city situated near a river and the sea, untreated water fails to meet drinking standards. The damage to the power grid causes interruptions in the electricity supply needed for water treatment. The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station worsened the situation, depriving many regions of southern Ukraine of water supply. In response, Boreal Light's expertise in providing clean drinking water to off-grid communities offered a simple and effective solution to Mykolaiv's urgent needs.
How we reuse water
Groundwater wells located near the ocean often encounter saltwater intrusion as they pump more and more water. As a result, water that was once fresh can become salty and undrinkable over time and require treatment. Because desalination requires significant electricity to run high pressure pumps, solar energy is an ideal way to generate ‘off-grid’ energy that is both reliable and cost effective for desalination. This allows groundwater that would otherwise be unuseable to become a reliable source of additional water.