Governments as Smart Governments
Cities are the dominant force in global energy consumption, responsible for approximately 75% of global energy consumption and 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. As urban populations continue to surge—expected to reach nearly 70% of the global population by 2050—municipalities are uniquely positioned to act as catalysts for the transition to renewable energy.
Key municipal measures to drive this transition include:
Setting Ambitious Renewable Targets: Cities are implementing specific, localized, and often more aggressive targets than national governments, such as aiming for 100% clean energy in municipal operations by 2025–2030.
Leveraging Urban Assets for Renewables: Municipalities are using their own buildings and land for solar, wind, and waste-to-energy projects.
Updating Building and Land-Use Codes: Implementing green building codes, such as mandatory solar water heating for new buildings, drives market demand for sustainable technologies.
Implementing Smart Grid Technology: Utilizing AI, IoT, and data analytics to optimize energy distribution and integrate renewable sources into existing infrastructure.
Promoting Public-Private Partnerships: Creating procurement standards that encourage private sector investment in green energy projects.
Developing “Positive Energy Districts” (PEDs): Fostering local, low-carbon energy production to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
By focusing on these areas, cities can mitigate the climate crisis, reduce local pollution, and create more resilient, energy-efficient urban environments
Desalination Plants And Projects
As of 2026, the world’s largest desalination plants are dominated by massive facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, primarily using reverse osmosis (RO) and multi-stage flash (MSF) technologies. Ras Al Khair in Saudi Arabia remains a leading, high-capacity plant, alongside major projects like Shuaiba 3 and the Al-Jubail complex. These, along with emerging projects in Asia and the Middle East, drive global water supply.
Here is a list of top, large-scale desalination plants based on capacity:
Ras Al Khair Desalination Plant (Saudi Arabia): A hybrid plant (MSF and RO) considered one of the world’s largest, with a capacity exceeding
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Al-Jubail (II & III) Desalination Plant (Saudi Arabia): A major facility producing over
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Shuaiba 3 Expansion (Saudi Arabia): A massive, high-capacity plant frequently expanding to meet regional demand, capable of producing over
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Jebel Ali Desalination Plant (UAE): A major complex, with Jebel Ali M being recognized for its high capacity.
Taweelah RO Desalination Plant (UAE): A large-scale reverse osmosis plant.
Shoaiba III Expansion (Saudi Arabia): Another critical facility expanding capacity on the Red Sea coast.
Rabigh 3 Desalination Plant (Saudi Arabia): A major RO plant contributing heavily to the national supply.
Magta Desalination Plant (UAE): A significant RO plant in the Emirates.
Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant (Hong Kong): An advanced, large-scale seawater reverse osmosis plant recognized for efficiency.
Victorian Desalination Plant (Australia): A significant, large-scale plant with capacity of up to 150 billion liters/year.
Dominance of Saudi Arabia: The country holds 22% of the world’s desalination capacity.
Hybrid Technologies: Combining reverse osmosis (RO) with thermal, or, increasingly, focusing on RO for higher efficiency.
Large-scale Expansion: New, massive projects are emerging in the GCC and Asia to combat water scarcity
Smart municipalities use data and technology to create efficiencies, improve sustainability, create economic development, and enhance the quality of life factors for people living and working in the municipalities. It also means that the municipality has a smarter energy infrastructure.
Renewable-based solutions for cities, whether in buildings, power-generation, transport or other systems, help to ensure energy security and fulfill climate commitments, as well as to secure social benefits for urban residents. Fortunately, cities are making progress and achieving key successes in the shift to renewables.
The selected cases focus on local policy instruments – including public procurement, ordinances, mandates, and pilot projects – with a focus on ensuring reliable energy supply and on the building and transportation sectors.
Among the cities examined:
- Cape Town, South Africa, has installed rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) on municipality-operated buildings.
- Rosario, Argentina, has offset requirements for solar water heaters in municipal-owned buildings.
- New Delhi, India, has commissioned 20 megawatts of solar rooftop installations for its metro system.
- Malmö, Sweden, has continually increased its renewable energy targets, aiming to reach 100%.
- Vancouver, Canada, has committed to sourcing 100% of its energy consumption from renewables by 2050.
- Sydney, Australia, has boosted renewables and cut municipal electricity consumption with energy-efficient public lighting.
