Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant in Algeria Honored with OPIC Impact Award for Critical Infrastructure

Hamma Water Desalination SpA
Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant, which opened in 2008, is located in a nonresidential area near Algiers’ Mediterranean Coast, with two offshore intake systems collecting seawater for processing. It operates around the clock.
8 July 2016
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GE Africa (Lagos)
TREVOSE, PA. —
  • GE and Algerian Energy Company’s Plant Provides Clean, Fresh Water to 1.5 Million People
  • Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant is the Product of a Joint Venture Between GE and the Algerian Energy Company
  • Plant Recognized for Innovation in Overcoming Challenges of Emerging Markets and the Impact Achieved

GE (NYSE: GE) and the Algerian Energy Company’s Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant has been awarded a 2016 Impact Award by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. government's development finance institution. OPIC’s Impact Awards recognize exceptional achievement in international private-sector development.

GE and the Algerian Energy Company’s Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant received the Impact Award in the category of “critical infrastructure.” The plant provides 1.5 million Algerian residents with fresh, clean water—meeting 25 percent of the city’s freshwater needs.

In 2008, Hamma Water Desalination SpA, a special project company combining 70 percent financing from GE and 30 percent from the Algerian Energy Company, was selected to design, build, own and operate the 200,000-cubic-meters-per-day (53 million gallons per day) Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant. It is a reverse osmosis (RO) seawater desalination facility that significantly alleviates water scarcity in Algiers and was the first RO desalination plant in Africa to be funded by public and private investment. GE also was awarded a 25-year contract to operate and maintain the plant.

“We are honored that the Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant received the OPIC Impact Award for critical infrastructure,” said Kevin Cassidy, global leader, engineered systems—water and process technologies for GE Power. “GE is fortunate to have been part of this project from the very beginning, and our water treatment operational capabilities allow us to take a hands-on role in providing a sustainable source of fresh water for 1.5 million residents.”

“The Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant is critical to the people of our country. Drought and extreme high demand for water forced our residents and businesses into frequent water rationing. The plant now provides a simple and economic solution that guarantees ongoing access to fresh water for Algerians. We thank OPIC for recognizing us, GE and our facility with this prestigious award,” said Ahcene Ouzane, general manager, Algerian Energy Company.

Mark Klaiber, general manager, engineered systems services—water and process technologies for GE Power, accepted the OPIC Impact Award at a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., on July 7, 2016.

OPIC-supported projects in critical infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, renewable energy, access to finance and other sectors are making a positive impact in people’s lives from Latin America to sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This year, OPIC presented awards in seven categories including innovation, development impact, access to finance, renewable resources, critical infrastructure, American small business and the president’s award.

The OPIC Impact Awards, now in its third year, recognize the important work OPIC partners are doing to advance development in emerging markets around the world. Impact Award winners are selected through a rigorous process that considers multiple factors including:

  • The project’s ability to successfully operate and overcome challenges in developing countries.
  • The project’s positive development impact.
  • The project’s satisfactory financial standing with the agency.
  • The project meeting OPIC’s high standards covering the environment and human rights, including worker's rights.

There is an open nomination process from all OPIC staff to submit projects that are in OPIC’s active portfolio or have recently paid off their loan in full. Each project is carefully reviewed under the above criteria, and final winners are selected from a committee composed of senior leadership.

About Algerian Energy Company Spa

Algerian Energy Company (AEC) is a joint-venture owned equally by Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, responsible for the promotion of strategic scale with national and international partnerships in the energy sector. AEC is responsible for 13 seawater desalination stations including 11 in operation to achieve the capacity of 2.1 million m3/day, and the acquisition of interests in three power plants with 2,375 Mwh in scope.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About GE Power

GE Power is a world leader in power generation with deep domain expertise to help customers deliver electricity from a wide spectrum of fuel sources. We are transforming the electricity industry with the digital power plant, the world’s largest and most efficient gas turbine, full balance of plant, upgrade and service solutions as well as our data-leveraging software. Our innovative technologies and digital offerings help make power more affordable, reliable, accessible and sustainable.

For more information, visit the company's website at www.gepower.com. Follow GE Power and GE’s water business on Twitter @GE_Power and @GE_Water and on LinkedIn at GE Power.

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