These strategic partnerships align with Italy’s Mattei Plan.

Metito Utilities, a leading global investor, developer, and operator of sustainable water management solutions, has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), SACE, and ACEA S.p.A. to drive transformative water infrastructure projects across Africa, the UAE, and other high-need regions.  

The agreements were formalised during the UAE-Italy Business Forum in Rome and were signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

These strategic partnerships align with Italy’s Mattei Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing international cooperation in sustainable water infrastructure development.  

Italy-UAE bilateral ties

The collaboration with CDP, Italy’s national promotional institution and development bank, will facilitate financing for water projects in Africa’s Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible nations, addressing critical infrastructure gaps while creating opportunities for Italian businesses.  

Through its partnership with SACE, Italy’s Export Credit Agency, Metito Utilities will gain access to innovative financial solutions and insurance mechanisms to accelerate the development of water projects in Africa, the UAE, and other key regions.

This cooperation aims to strengthen economic ties between Italian industries and emerging markets while advancing sustainable development goals.  

Metito Utilities’ alliance with ACEA S.p.A., a leading provider of water, energy, and environmental services, will drive cutting-edge advancements in water treatment, desalination, and distribution networks across Africa and the Middle East.

Together, they will implement next-generation water security solutions to ensure safe and sustainable access to clean water in regions facing severe shortages.  

Additionally, Metito Utilities will leverage its AWID framework, an industry-first platform dedicated to scaling up climate-smart water projects, to secure diverse funding sources and execute large-scale infrastructure initiatives that enhance water security across the African continent.  

Rami Ghandour, CEO of Metito Utilities, said, "As countries work to achieve water security for their growing communities, these partnerships create unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable solutions. By combining Metito Utilities extensive experience with Italian expertise and financial capabilities, we are creating a powerful framework to address critical infrastructure needs and enhance water security across multiple markets. Building on our commitment to Africa initiated with Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID) launched with British International Investment, these collaborations further underscore our dedication to developing sustainable water infrastructure across the continent.”

In Kuwait, ENGIE will sell its 17.5% stake in Az Zour North. (Image source: ENGIE)

ENGIE, a global leader in low-carbon energy solutions, has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to divest its shareholding in key power and water desalination assets in Kuwait and Bahrain to ACWA Power.

This strategic move marks ENGIE’s exit from both countries and aligns with the company’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045.

In Kuwait, ENGIE will sell its 17.5% stake in Az Zour North, a combined gas power and water desalination plant with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts (GW) and the ability to produce 107 million imperial gallons of water per day.

Additionally, the company will divest its 50% share in Az Zour North’s operations and maintenance (O&M) company.

In Bahrain, ENGIE will transfer its interests in multiple facilities, including a 45% stake in Al Dur, a plant with a 1.2 GW gas power production capacity and the ability to desalinate 48 million imperial gallons of water daily.

The divestment also includes a 45% share in Al Ezzel, a 0.9 GW gas power plant, and full ownership of Al Ezzel’s O&M company, which manages both Al Dur and Al Ezzel.

Furthermore, ENGIE will sell its 30% share in Al Hidd, a 0.9 GW gas power and 90 MIGD water desalination plant, along with its integrated O&M company.

Diversifying portfolio

This decision is part of ENGIE’s long-term strategy to focus on expanding its renewable energy portfolio, flexible power generation, and low-carbon solutions designed for industrial partners.

By leveraging innovation and strengthening long-term partnerships, ENGIE remains dedicated to supporting the Middle East’s sustainable energy transition.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. ENGIE and ACWA Power are collaborating closely to ensure a seamless transfer of ownership while maintaining uninterrupted, high-quality operations.

Having been an integral part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) energy sector for more than three decades, ENGIE has provided gas-fired power solutions, desalinated water production, district cooling, hydrogen, and battery storage.

Despite this divestment, the company remains committed to investing in renewable energy projects and pioneering low-carbon technologies across the region.

The time to implement these solutions is now, before it’s too late. (Image source: Canva Pro)

As climate change intensifies water scarcity, pollution, and extreme weather events, the need for smarter water management has never been more pressing.

Gregg Herrin, Bentley Systems vice president for water, explains how digital twins offer a transformative solution, enabling utilities and governments to optimise water resources, enhance sustainability, and safeguard communities. With aging infrastructure and rising environmental challenges, adopting these technologies now is not just an opportunity—it is an urgent necessity. This the last article in this series. 

The examples shown earlier illustrate what’s possible when digital twins are used to address water issues at the source. Even as these problems become more severe, technology is continuing to adapt and evolve.

By leveraging digital twins, the water management sector can optimise source water management, improve sustainability, and enhance overall water security, ensuring that utilities can meet the demands of their customers while protecting and sustaining vital water resources.

Climate urgency

Urban planners, governmental leaders, and other stakeholders are also at a crossroads. As climate change results in more damaging storms, droughts, and depleted or polluted water supplies, delivering clean water to support both people and the environment, along with elevating agriculture while preserving natural habitats, will become an even greater challenge.

We have not only an opportunity but also an ethical obligation to leverage technology toward these goals, transforming the water management sector in a way that is both climate change-proof and sustainable.

The time to implement these solutions is now, before it’s too late. With increasing pressure from climate change, aging infrastructure, and regulatory and environmental requirements, the opportunity to fundamentally change the way we manage water for the better, by using digital solutions, is tangible and present.

Digital twins provide the predictive and real-time capabilities to respond to these dynamic conditions—and the beneficiaries of these digitally driven decisions are not only today’s communities, but those of the future.

In a previous post, we looked at how digital twins can ensure sustainable practices and help conserve water. Advanced technologies like smart meters, real-time data analytics, IoT, AI, and digital twins are transforming water management by enhancing monitoring, improving predictive capabilities, and enabling more informed decision-making. These innovations help minimise water waste and safeguard supplies from contamination.

We also highlighted a few case studies in this regard. The Sacramento Regional Sanitation Department began upgrading its water management infrastructure in 2010 to address California’s chronic water shortages. The EchoWater Project, a US$2.1bn initiative managed by Project Controls Cubed (PC3), aimed to meet new discharge standards and provide high-quality recycled water for local agriculture.

Bentley's software helps in optimising water management. (Image source: Canva Pro)

Gregg Herrin, Bentley Systems vice president for water, highlights a few case studies where digital twins helped cities conserve water. This is the second in a three-part series of his op-ed, which has been slightly edited for brevity. Read the first part here. 

Companhia Águas de Joinville (CAJ) supplies water and sanitation services to approximately 600,000 residents of Joinville, a thriving municipality in Santa Catarina, South Brazil. In 2020, Joinville experienced the worst drought in 30 years, with one of the city’s two main water systems—the Pirai River—dropping to unprecedented low levels. The drought drastically impacted water production and sanitation, threatening the health and quality of life for Joinville citizens.

Using Bentley's hydraulic modeling application, the CAJ team created a digital twin of the city's water distribution system, enabling advanced modeling and simulation.

With the digital twin, CAJ engineers devised a new contingency plan—at near-zero carbon cost of implementation, no less—that saved BRL 4.5 million, by optimising existing infrastructure and reducing the need for new construction. It helped CAJ understand current system conditions, including flow rates, pressures, and water quality, enabling proactive management and scenario analysis.

Reducing wastage

This helped them identify ways to optimise network efficiency, reduce unnecessary water production by 30% during droughts, decrease water loss by 40,000m³ per month, and minimise water shortage complaints by 90%. Additionally, the project helped cut annual carbon emissions by 169 tons.

By leveraging advanced hydraulic modeling that is integrated into a digital twin, CAJ can now ensure a cleaner, sustainable water distribution to Joinville—meaningfully improving the environment and citizens’ lives.

The Sacramento Regional Sanitation Department began upgrading its water management infrastructure in 2010 to address California’s chronic water shortages. The EchoWater Project, a US$2.1bn initiative managed by Project Controls Cubed (PC3), aimed to meet new discharge standards and provide high-quality recycled water for local agriculture.

The project involved 22 engineering initiatives at an active wastewater treatment plant. A digital twin was used for planning, coordination, and cost control, saving US$400mn, which funded the Harvest Water program. This initiative provided clean water for agricultural and conservation use, irrigating up to 16,000 acres in southern Sacramento County.

Next: The future of water management and why action is needed now