The Republic of Korea is aiming to have its first large seawater desalination plant up and running by August 2012. Sited in the port of Busan, it will use reverse-osmosis technology.
According to a report in the Korea Herald, the capacity of the plant will be 45,000 m³/d, and it will be a joint project between the Busan city government and the Korea Institute of Construction and Transportation Technology Evaluation & Planning.
The Busan government and the state-project assessment body under the Ministry of Land, Transport & Maritime Affairs will invest Won 182.9 billion (US$ 137 million) for the project. Private-sector participants will be Woongjin Chemical Co, World-TEC Co, Hyosung Pump Co and Doosan.
For more information on Korea’s national desalination strategy, see Korea puts US$ 170 million into SWRO and reuse