Cost of Desalination Plants
The cost of plant to convert sea water into drinking water would depend on the type of technology, capacity of the plant, location and cost of electricity which varies from place to place. National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) an autonomous body of the Ministry of Earth Sciences has indigenously designed, developed and demonstrated conversion of sea water into potable water based on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology. The cost of LTTD plant in Lakshadweep is about Rs 20 crore for producing 1 lakh liter of potable water per day and in coastal power plant at mainland is estimated to be Rs 40 crore for producing 2 million liters of potable water per day. According to the cost estimates made recently by an independent agency for LTTD technology, the operational costs per litre of desalinated potable water is about 19 paise for island based plants.
The above information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Ashwani Kumar to the Parliament today.
MC/sk