Roughly 22,000 desalination plants operate globally in 2025, producing about 100 million cubic metres of water per day. The count includes everything from mega Middle East facilities to industrial process desalination, and it is growing 5 to 7 percent annually. This guide covers what is included in the count and how the fleet is distributed.
What counts as a desalination plant
The count includes any facility that removes salt from water to produce lower salinity output. This ranges from seawater desalination for drinking water, to brackish water desalination for municipal supply, to industrial process desalination. Some databases exclude very small plants; some include military and shipboard installations.
Distribution by feedstock
| Feedstock | Share of plants | Share of production |
|---|---|---|
| Seawater | ~40% | ~65% |
| Brackish water | ~30% | ~20% |
| Wastewater and reuse | ~15% | ~10% |
| Industrial process water | ~10% | ~5% |
| Other | ~5% | Minor |
Distribution by country
| Country | Approximate plant count |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Over 60 |
| UAE | Over 60 |
| United States | Over 3,000 (many small) |
| Spain | Over 700 |
| China | Over 400 and growing |
| Australia | Under 100 municipal plus industrial |
| India | Over 500 |
| Israel | ~10 major plus smaller |
Technology mix
| Technology | Share of capacity 2025 |
|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis (RO) | ~70% |
| Multi stage flash (MSF) | ~15% |
| Multi effect distillation (MED) | ~10% |
| Electrodialysis and others | ~5% |
RO dominance is growing; MSF share is declining as older plants retire. See our companion article on desalination explained.
Growth trajectory
The global desalination fleet is expected to double capacity by 2035. Growth drivers include water scarcity intensification, urbanisation in arid regions, and industrial demand. See the International Desalination Association for market data.
New market entries
Beyond Middle East expansion, notable growth markets include Chile, Egypt, Morocco, coastal India, and eastern China. Cape Town, Los Angeles, and Melbourne have added or expanded capacity following drought experience.
Small vs mega
Roughly 40 mega plants (over 300,000 m3 per day) produce a disproportionate share of total capacity. Thousands of small plants (under 5,000 m3 per day) exist for municipal, industrial, and specialised use. Both segments are growing.
Power for desalination
Desalination is energy intensive. Total electricity consumption globally is roughly 400 TWh per year (about 1.5 percent of global electricity). Renewable powered desalination is growing rapidly, especially in Chile, Morocco, and Australia.
Brine management
Cost trajectory
Desalination cost per cubic metre has fallen from USD 5+ in the 1990s to USD 0.50 to 1.50 today for large seawater plants. Further reductions expected as membrane technology improves and renewables power operations.
Climate implications
Climate change increases water scarcity, driving desalination growth. Higher salinity in some coastal areas (from evaporation) also stresses feedwater intake design. Sea level rise affects some existing intakes.
Where the count is going
Expected to grow to 30,000 to 35,000 plants globally by 2035, with capacity roughly doubling. Growth concentrated in developing countries with rising water demand and coastal locations.
Frequently asked questions
Are there desalination plants inland?
Yes, for brackish water. Wells produce brackish groundwater that is desalinated in place.
Which country has most plants?
US by count (many small); Saudi Arabia and UAE by mega plant count and capacity.
How is a plant counted?
Any facility that removes salt from water. Definitions vary in edge cases.
Do industrial plants count?
Usually yes. Industrial process desalination is a significant part of the fleet.
Are shipboard plants counted?
Some databases include; some exclude. Numbers here reflect land based mainly.
How much water do all plants make?
Roughly 100 million cubic metres per day, about 36 billion m3 per year.
What fraction of global water is desalinated?
Very small, under 1 percent. But locally can be 80 percent or more in Israel and some Gulf states.
Is desalination expensive?
More than fresh water where available. Competitive with alternatives in water scarce regions.
Are there floating desalination plants?
Some pilot projects. Not yet mainstream.
Where can I see plant data?
The UtilityRadar directory lists desalination facilities.
Summary
Roughly 22,000 desalination plants operate globally, producing about 100 million cubic metres per day. Middle East dominates by mega plant count and capacity; US leads by absolute plant count including small facilities. RO is now the dominant technology; MSF is declining but persistent. Growth is 5 to 7 percent annually, driven by water scarcity. The fleet is set to roughly double by 2035.
Next reading
- Desalination explained
- 15 largest desalination plants
- How water treatment works
- Browse the UtilityRadar directory
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