28/12/2025
In China’s Shandong province, a new large-scale facility is demonstrating how seawater can be transformed into both 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐞𝐥 at a cost as low as $𝟎.𝟐𝟕 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞. This price is significantly lower than desalination costs reported in 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐀𝐄, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, where energy-intensive processes often push costs much higher. The breakthrough comes from combining advanced desalination technology with renewable-powered electrolysis systems.
The plant uses energy-efficient membranes and optimized pressure systems to reduce electricity consumption during desalination. At the same time, part of the treated water is used to produce 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧, generated using clean energy instead of fossil fuels. This dual-purpose approach allows the facility to share infrastructure and energy inputs, dramatically cutting overall costs while producing two essential resources at once.
Experts say this model could be transformative for water-stressed coastal regions around the world. By lowering costs and pairing freshwater production with clean fuel generation, the system addresses both 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 challenges. It also reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and minimizes environmental impact compared to traditional desalination plants.
While further scaling and independent verification will determine how widely this approach can be adopted, the Shandong project highlights how innovation can reshape global benchmarks. It shows that with the right technology and investment, clean water and green energy can become far more affordable — even in regions facing severe resource pressure.
