Quinton Anthony’s Mike Hayes spoke to some key industry executives to discuss a number of key water-related issues. In the first of these Q&A’s, Mike talked with Philip Narezzi, CEO of Sydney Desalination Plant. Philip was kind enough to share some of his insights around desalination plants, the technology used, their sustainability and the investment required to deliver these complex plants. He also discussed how desalination plants can assist with the long-term water management plans in Australia, and not be limited to a drought response by product.

WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF DESALINATION PLANTS IN AUSTRALIA?

Desalination plays an important role in major Australia capital cities by providing a non-rain dependent source of high-quality drinking water. As the pressures of climate change and population growth increase, desalination’s role is critical to ensuring overall system resilience. As we have seen in many States, the importance of desalination is being recognised by its use as base load supplier to assist overall system management and not just a drought response measure.

HAS AUSTRALIA HANDLED THE ISSUE AROUND WATER SUPPLY WELL WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF DESALINATION PLANTS?

Australia invested heavy in desalination in response to the millennium drought. At the time, it was a response to a drought situation and long-term water management planning was not wholly considered. The importance of desalination in overall system resilience and management is now being considered along with multiple non-rain dependent options like demand management, recycling and stormwater harvesting. Desalination needs to be considered in a holistic approach to long-term water management planning.

ARE THEY A LONG-TERM VIABLE OPTION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE?

Desalination is a long-term viable source of non-rain dependent water supply for Australia. Australia’s variable climate and continuing impacts of climate change will always require desalination to play a critical role in long-term water management planning for our major cities.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST PRESSURES THAT YOU CAN SEE WITH THE CONTINUATION OF RUNNING & OPERATING THE SYDNEY DESALINATION PLANT OVER THE NEXT 10 TO 20 YEARS?

Desalination needs to be recognised as a critical player in long-term water management planning. Key decision-makers need to change the narrative from desalination being used in times of drought only to an important component of the system resilience. Changing the thinking of the future operating regime of the Sydney Desalination Plant from a drought response asset is key to providing future benefits to customers and maximising the value from the asset.

ANY INSIGHTS TO TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE INVESTMENTS WITH DESALINATION PLANTS THAT CAN MAKE THEM MORE VIABLE & COST-EFFECTIVE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC?

The thinking regarding the perception of the expensive nature of desalination needs to change. Yes, desalination is expensive when you compare it to other sources of water (and this is not likely to change as there are no proven new cheaper technologies) but when looking at an overall system resilience, the cost is relatively minor when you are able to guarantee the supply of high quality drinking water.

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Philip Narezzi is an executive leader with over 25 years of experience in the process and industrial industries working in the fields of executive management, regulation, engineering, technical support, project delivery, business improvement and corporate management. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Desalination Plant. You can find him on LinkedIn.

Philip’s experience includes detailed process design, engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, optimisation and continuous improvement, strategic planning, commercial, tendering, asset management, project management for multiple industries specialising in water, sewerage and recycling infrastructure.

Philip joined Sydney Desalination Plant in October 2016 as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the successful reinstatement of the plant following the December 2015 storm event and the 2019 plant restart after six years of water security mode. Philip was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in March 2020.