In this Global Platform video, Rhana Kurdi, CEO, Skydrops, explores water security in Qatar and the wider GCC – examining the region’s heavy reliance on desalination and the structural vulnerabilities associated with centralised, energy-intensive systems. The discussion highlights how exposure to energy-price volatility, supply chain disruption and climate-related shocks is prompting a shift towards diversification and innovation. The video spotlights Skydrops’ atmospheric water-generation technology, which produces potable water from ambient humidity with comparatively low energy requirements, expanding the geographic boundaries of viable water production. It also considers how artificial intelligence-driven optimisation, smart distribution and decentralised solutions can enhance resilience, lower carbon intensity and support long-term water security across water-stressed markets in the MENA region and beyond.
In Qatar and the GCC, currently, the water security is really both a strength and a vulnerability. We have done a really great job in the sense that we have built these world-class desalination plants. However, we are very heavily dependent on these centralised water systems. If there is a shock to the system, such as an increase in energy costs or supply chain disruption, basically, it will set us into a whirlwind for water security.
So really, this is the time for us to start diversifying water sources and really paying attention to innovation that is out there to help come up with these solutions for the future. Traditionally, when you had a water source, it was really based off of geography. So you had to, whether you were on a coastline or close to a river or some sort of an aquifer, that is your main access to water. Today, with the technology that we have available and also with some of the AI-driven optimisation, and also with the smart distribution, we can produce water basically anywhere that is necessary.
So basically what these innovation is going to be able to do for us is, is that it is going to expand the map of where water can actually be produced. So for our technology specifically, anywhere where there's between 20 to 30% of humidity, which is pretty large portion of the world, we can produce water. Also, what we want to look at is the overall carbon footprint. Switching to different sources of water, like atmospheric water generators.
We can produce water literally out of thin air with low energy requirements. When you compare traditional water sources to atmospheric water generation, there is no comparison. It is apples and oranges When you tap into, let us say, desalinated water. The water source already exists.
You are not creating water. You are processing water. So naturally, the amount of volume that is going to be created is going to be at a lower Kilowatt energy per liter, because the volume already exists. The United Nations, for several years in a row, has named Qatar to be the number one country to most likely go into a water scarcity.
This is a really great hub for that, but I really wanted to be in an area where we can introduce this new innovation and that the government and the systems are set up to accept such a new innovation. I think that is a huge part of it. But for the water scarcity portion, this entire region is facing it. Also Africa, the entire MENA area is facing it.
So this is part of our global expansion plan with what the future holds for Skydrops is ensuring that we are in those locations where water scarcity is a huge concern for day-to-day life.
