Penang’s RM3.81 million Pulau Aman Desalination Project revival aims to produce 0.24 million litres daily, enhancing long-term water supply
BATU KAWAN: The revival of the Pulau Aman Desalination Project (PADP) is expected to play a significant role in strengthening Penang’s long-term water security.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the RM3.81 million pilot project is one of several initiatives by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) to explore alternative methods beyond conventional treatment of raw water from rivers.
“This project began in 2015, using seawater as a raw source and processing it through desalination. However, the treated water produced at the time did not meet the Ministry of Health standards, leading to the plant being left idle for several years,” Chow explained.
“Subsequent review and recommendations from consultants have given us confidence that the plant can be upgraded. Restoration work is now underway, and it is expected to be operational again next year,” he told reporters after visiting the site today. Also present was PWSC chief executive officer, Datuk K Pathmanathan.
Chow, who is also PWSC chairman, said the upgraded desalination plant will have the capacity to produce 0.24 million litres of treated water per day, which would be dedicated to serving 94 consumer accounts on the island.
Even though this output is modest, Chow emphasised that as a pilot project, the plant’s capacity is sufficient to meet the needs of Pulau Aman’s 200-plus residents, as well as incoming tourists.
He clarified that Pulau Aman currently receives its water supply from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant, which is delivered via two submarine pipes to a main storage tank.
The reactivated desalination project will significantly reduce, or potentially even eliminate, this mode of delivery.
Chow further explained that Penang cannot rely on a single source of raw water, especially given the state’s limited resources. As such, initiatives like the PADP that explore new technologies are viewed as a vital part of the solution for the state’s long-term water security beyond 2030.
In a separate briefing, Pathmanathan reported that the project, which commenced on June 16, is already 26.61 percent completed and is on track to be finished by June 15, 2026.
He also gave his assurance that Pulau Aman consumers will continue to pay the standard domestic tariff of RM0.86 per cubic metre, despite PWSC absorbing the significantly higher operational costs of running the desalination plant. – BERNAMA
