RIYADH: Water demand in Saudi Arabia rises significantly during Ramadan as households, mosques and restaurants increase consumption around iftar and suhoor.
Last year, around 10 million cubic meters of water per day were distributed across the Kingdom during the holy month. This year, the National Water Company said it was planning to distribute about 11 million cubic meters of water daily across the Kingdom during Ramadan.
The company said it had prepared thoroughly to ensure reliability and continuity of supply. Experts say the seasonal demand highlights the close relationship between water production and energy use in Saudi Arabia, where most drinking water is produced through desalination.
“Ramadan intensifies both energy and water demand simultaneously ... when water use spikes, energy systems must also ramp up to supply and distribute that water,” Ahmed Al-Nashrey, environmental and sustainability engineer at Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company Luberef, told Arab News.
Demand patterns also shift during Ramadan as households adjust their daily routines.
“Peak daily water use often shifts toward late night and early morning hours because people consume more water around suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (sunset meal),” he said.
“Overall daily consumption can increase, especially for household uses like cooking, cleaning, hydration and mosques boosting ablution facilities.”
Because desalination is energy-intensive, these demand spikes highlight the importance of integrating cleaner and more flexible energy sources into water production systems. Al-Nashrey said renewable technologies could play an increasing role in supporting desalination infrastructure as demand continues to grow: “Solar power aligns well with peak daytime demand, especially for desalination and cooling. Energy storage (batteries or thermal storage) could shift renewable output to evening hours when Ramadan peaks occur.”
Solar energy is expected to play a growing role in supporting desalination and electricity demand as renewable projects expand. Saudi Arabia’s solar capacity has reached around 11.9 gigawatts across 14 initiatives, according to data from the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center. Energy storage systems could also help address shifts in consumption patterns during Ramadan.
Hybrid systems that combine renewable and conventional power sources could provide greater flexibility for utilities managing fluctuating demand.
Broader energy market trends are reinforcing the case for integrating renewables and storage. While oil markets remain volatile, the cost of battery storage has been steadily declining.
According to the International Energy Agency, battery prices fell about 8 percent in 2024, driven by advances in manufacturing, improvements in battery chemistry and intensifying global competition. Battery energy storage systems have seen some of the sharpest cost declines, with average prices in 2025 estimated at roughly one-third of their 2020 levels.
Such technologies could help reduce both operational costs and environmental impacts in water production, Al-Nashrey said: “Solar-powered desalination — particularly with storage — offers a pathway to reduce costs, emissions, and grid pressure during seasonal peaks.”
Seasonal demand patterns during Ramadan also highlight the operational challenges faced by desalination facilities.
“The linked impacts are significant; desalination plants often operate at near-maximum capacity already. Seasonal demand spikes force them to run longer or less efficiently,” Al-Nashrey said.
“Electric grids experience shifting peak loads, especially during evening hours when people use water, cook and cool homes simultaneously.”
