Water security has become a critical issue in the Gulf region, where several countries rely heavily on desalination plants to meet their daily water needs. Due to limited natural freshwater resources, Gulf nations have invested billions of dollars in large-scale desalination facilities that convert seawater into drinking water for millions of residents.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent examples of this dependence. Around 70% of the country’s water supply comes from desalination plants, and nearly 90% of Riyadh’s water demand is fulfilled through these facilities. This heavy reliance means that any disruption to these plants could quickly lead to a severe water crisis in the kingdom.
The situation is similar in Kuwait, where approximately 90% of the country’s clean water supply is generated through desalination plants. Without these facilities, Kuwait would struggle to meet its daily water requirements, as natural freshwater sources are extremely limited.
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In Oman, desalination plants provide around 86% of the national water supply, making them essential for residential, industrial, and agricultural use. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also depends significantly on desalination, with about 42% of its water supply coming from such plants.
Experts warn that the concentration of water production in a limited number of desalination facilities makes the region vulnerable to disruptions. Any damage, technical failure, or conflict-related incident affecting these plants could create widespread shortages, impacting millions of people across the Gulf.
As populations grow and water demand continues to increase, protecting desalination infrastructure and diversifying water sources have become key priorities for Gulf governments to ensure long-term water security.
