The $6 billion Ngarluma Water desalination plant in the Pilbara will be the largest in the southern hemisphere, with the capacity to deliver up to 150 GL of water a year.
Water – the lack of it, and the escalating need for it – is a defining feature of the Pilbara.
The remote corner of Western Australia is an economic powerhouse thanks to the iron ore, lithium and other valuable resources lying beneath its surface. The rapid growth in mining and other thirsty new industries – such as green hydrogen – is putting unsustainable pressure on water supplies already being tested to their limit.
But it’s here that a groundbreaking new partnership is building water’s sustainable future.
New approach to an old problem
“There is a huge challenge around water security in the Pilbara,” Daniel Lambert, Managing Director of Legacie Water Infrastructure Developers (LWID), told create. “For a long period, mines and industry have extracted a huge volume of groundwater to supply their operations. Additionally, the need for the renewable energy industry and net-zero targets to be met requires significant additional water in the region.”
A unique partnership between LWID, Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) and French energy giant Suez aims to mitigate that. Due to commence construction in 2027, the $6 billion Ngarluma Water desalination plant in the Pilbara will be the largest in the southern hemisphere, with the capacity to deliver up to 150 GL of water a year – the equivalent of 60,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Not only will the renewable powered plant provide a crucial water source to fuel the green energy transition in the Pilbara, but it is also working with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation to deliver long-term benefits to the Ngarluma people.
Rising to the challenges
Building a large-scale seawater desalination plant 10 km west of the Balla Balla River, around 1600 km north of Perth, is no small feat.
A workforce of around 2700 is expected to take around five years to construct and commission the facility in a remote location 100 km from the nearest existing port. Tidal variations of up to eight metres have to be taken into account, along with complex climate conditions including extreme heat and cyclones.
Chosen for its access to seawater and proximity to the Maitland and Boodarie strategic industrial areas, pipelines will stretch around 100 km to the east and west to supply the water to multiple off-takers when it goes online in 2031.
Whereas mining giants such as Rio Tinto have developed their own, much smaller, desalination plants, Ngarluma Water’s multi-user infrastructure model requires it to be significantly larger than existing desalination plants in WA – part of its unique business model.
“We’re developing a scheme that will service the whole region,” Lambert said. “Our off-takers won’t have to invest any capital and they won’t have to operate the assets. With our reliable, affordable water supply, they can focus on their core business.”
Search for solutions
The Pilbara is central to WA’s developing renewable energy industries such as green hydrogen, green iron and green steel. Just like traditional mining, they’re extremely water intensive. Ultimately, the Pilbara’s unmet future water demand is already estimated at over 375 GL/a, which is larger than Greater Perth’s existing water supply.
“Water is absolutely critical for renewable energy projects. The need for water is only going to grow, and, by reducing reliance on groundwater, the project will not only aid in the preservation of a precious resource but will also pave the way for new economic opportunities.”
The net benefit of Ngarluma Water to the Pilbara region could exceed $30 billion over a 30-year analysis period, initial economic modelling estimates.
“Marsden Jacob Associates’ cost-benefit analysis shows the project’s cost savings, obtained by off-takers, are expected to deliver $7.9 billion in net economic benefits to the region. When combined with additional benefits from enabling industry expansion and accelerated approvals through collaboration with First Nations people, the total net economic benefit is estimated at $33.8 billion.”
Read more: Daniel Lambert on the power of engineering for good
A meaningful partnership
Equally significant for the region is the relationship being formed between NAC and Legacie. The first desalination project in Australia undertaken in partnership with the Traditional Owners, Ngarluma Water is providing a blueprint for project proponents to work side-by-side with Traditional Owners for the life of a project.
“Legacie approached negotiations with Free Prior and Informed Consent and structured the agreements to enable NAC to self-determine what their involvement can be in the project – and ensure that the financial benefits are received and managed by the corporation.”
The benefits of direct collaboration with First Nations people through equity ownership in this and other projects is also expected to enhance project alignment with government initiatives and streamline approval processes.
“It’s a win-win outcome for industry and for First Nations by sharing the revenue generated and ensuring that the land’s respected and cared for.”
Beyond the Pilbara
Ngarluma Water is a proving ground for a new approach to meeting Australia’s growing industrial water needs and its transition to net zero.
The model promises adaptability to different contexts around Australia thanks to industry’s concentration in dry areas.
“Water is the life blood of industries and communities,” Lambert said. “Legacie is looking at applying the model to support other thirsty regions in Australia. So much industry is very water-intensive. There is a pressing need for better pathways to the sustainable, reliable water supply required for remote communities and industry.
“We think that our approach to First Nations partnerships, and the development of common user infrastructure to accelerate provision of water, can be applied across multiple locations in Australia.”
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