Environmentally Sustainable Discharge of Treated Industrial Wastewaters in the Egyptian Power System: A Case Study of Assuit West Power Plant

The 1500 MW Assuit West Combined Cycle Power Plant is located 380 km South of Cairo on the west bank of the Nile River. Underground water is the water source for the power plant with salinity ranges between 2500 and 4200 ppm. There are 37 groundwater wells in addition to one deep well. The industrial drainage is disposed of via “treated RO-rej-water and neutralized chemical waste-blow down”. The treated discharge is in turn drained to evaporative ponds on an area of about 45 acres, which is impacted with serious natural drawbacks.

The power plant aims to find an effective way to dispose of treated industrial wastewater . To solve the problem, and maximize the benefit from biomass with the case of Assuit West, it is necessary to find plant species that can grow with low quality, high salinity water in smaller quantities as well as types of soil that are difficult to use for food crops production so as not to compete with them for land and water .

1 The trees planted around the power plant were strategically selected to support the environment and thrive under challenging conditions. The main species used are Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) and Casuarina, both known for their exceptional tolerance to salinity and their ability to purify air naturally. The Jojoba tree remains alive at salinity levels up to 9000 ppm and productive up to 7000 ppm, making it ideal for reuse of treated water. The Casuarina trees were planted as natural green fences instead of iron fences, to expand the greenery, act as windbreaks, and provide a future source of wood.

Jojoba plants were selected for their high oil content (50–60% of seed weight) and ability to grow with saline industrial water on desert land, providing an effective method for safe disposal of industrial wastewater. Planting 100 acres uses about 1,700–2,000 m³/day, with soil and water conditions deemed suitable by relevant authorities.

Each acre produces roughly 115 tons of oxygen and absorbs 11 tons of CO₂ per year, supporting labor-intensive industries and promoting sustainable development. The project advances the green economy by creating jobs, preserving resources, and reducing emissions, making Jojoba cultivation both a strategic and economically beneficial solution.

The study plan begins by estimating the amount of treated industrial wastewater produced by the Assuit West Power Plant based on water requirements for growing Jojoba trees.