Chinese seawater desalination project in Kiribati eases water shortages

In a groundbreaking development, a Jiangsu seawater desalination company has successfully inaugurated a transformative 250-ton seawater desalination project in Kiribati, liberating over 2,000 locals from the enduring burden of water scarcity.

Kiribati, a nation comprising 33 islands in the central Pacific, grapples with limited freshwater resources. Locals rely on rainwater and scarce well water.

A steady stream of residents eagerly received the much-needed water at the project site's inauguration in Kiribati's capital city of Tarawa.

In May 2022, the Chinese and Kiribati governments inked a plan as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, with the seawater desalination project standing out as an important component under this collaboration.

Established in 2013, Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co, based in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, has been at the forefront of researching and implementing new energy seawater desalination technology to address power and water shortages in isolated islands and brackish water regions.

Their seawater desalination technology and equipment have garnered recognition, finding a place in the UN government procurement list.

"The project's container modular design and the pre-commissioning of seawater desalination equipment in China before transportation as a whole have significantly expedited the construction timeline," said Zhu Jiaqi, director of Fenghai's seawater desalination division. Following the aid construction assignment, tailored equipment was crafted based on local requirements.

Xu Weiguo, Fenghai's vice-president and technical director, said that the project's success delivers essential equipment and offers a sustainable solution for Pacific islanders combating water scarcity, providing support for Pacific island nations in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.