Investment efficiency of floating platforms desalination technology in egypt

Over 2,000 km of sea coasts with different environmental conditions may provide Egypt with alter-native energy solutions that may be used for electricity production and water desalination, required for the vast urban expansion, mainly along the coastal areas to relieve population pressure from the old valley and delta, and to create new community opportunities in new regions. The proposed platform discussed in this paper is a mobile platform in order to supply any costal city with fresh water to prevent any water crisis. The aim of this research paper is to make an economic comparison between floating stations and fixed stations on the ground and to determine the extent of the preference of one over the other to take the appropriate investment decision that can benefit the vast Egyptian coasts. The results of the study showed the possibility of recovering the invested capital during a period of 5 years and 5 months for the floating platform and 5 years and 8 months for the fixed ground station. Economic indicators have also been used to conduct comparison such as net present value of cash flows, cost-to-return standard, internal rate of return, sensitivity analysis ([10% cost increase] [10% decrease in revenue] [both together]). All results were positive in favor of the floating platform of the desalination plant.