Nuclear desalination competitiveness in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Original Research Article

The competitiveness of nuclear desalination in the western region of Saudi Arabia was studied. A forecast of water demand between the years 2000 and 2025 was established as part of the input data required for the DEEP computer code. Several options of energy sources such as PWR (600 MWe), SPWR (160 MWth), PHWR (450 MWe), HR (200 MWth) and GT (125 MWe and 175 MWe) were investigated in conjunction with different desalination technologies such as RO, MSF, MED and the hybrid MED-RO. The total plant output, specific electricity investment cost, specific water investment cost, levelized power cost, average daily production, net saleable power and levelized water cost are presented for all cases. Two scenarios were investigated; the first assumed no interest and discount rates and the second assumed interest and discount rates equal to 4%, 8% and 12%. The first scenario assumed that the water utility continues under the control of the government while the second assumed that the water utility will be privatized.