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SINGAPORE: General Electric (GE) expects world demand for clean water to triple by 2030, and it is looking to cater to this demand through improved research and development capabilities.
It aims to spend US$1.5 billion globally through its Ecomagination green initiative by 2010, and this includes its new water technology research centre in Singapore.
Clean water is critical for both industrial use and consumption, and global demand is expected to continue growing strongly in years ahead.
GE and the National University of Singapore (NUS) are aiming to address this surging demand through the Singapore Water Technology Centre (SWTC).
The SWTC aims to develop practical solutions to meet clean water needs of developed and growing economies in the region.
General manager, GE Water, Asia Pacific, Kevin Cassidy, said: "If you look at a place like Australia, which is a fairly developed economy, with very limited water, they've had to turn to a number of sources, like sea water desalinisation, and water reuse and recycling. And in China and India, there have been a tremendous amount of industrial expansion recently as well as population growth."
GE and NUS have invested US$100 million in the 2,700 square metre facility, and many of the technologies developed will be tested here in Singapore, in collaboration with the public and private sector.
GE says the global water industry is worth as much as US$40 billion.
Looking ahead, experts say another key challenge is to be able to deliver clean water affordably.
Deputy president for research and technology, NUS, Barry Halliwell, said: "One of the areas we will be focusing on is cheaper ways of delivering clean water and so on... So we hope (to find a solution that) will help keep down the costs (of water supply) for people."
The SWTC is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of next year.
- CNA/yt
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