Leon Awerbuch

Among the NWSIA/IDA's most recognisable fixtures; desalination's great lover of hybridisation.

Leon Awerbuch – Leon Awerbuch

Leon first dealt with desalination researching separating coal mine water for metal extraction. In 1967, he joined the practical industry with BLH, one of the first three US companies in desal, but soon moved to Aquachem's design arm, including early RO, kick-starting his interest in hybrid systems.

Leon was with Bechtel in 1972–2008, eventually becoming Middle East VP. Combined power and desal plants featured in his work, but he also project-managed Saudi Arabia's largest RO plant.

From 1998, he headed LET, initially alongside Bechtel duties, pursuing new technologies in hybrid membrane desal and power and MED/MSF/RO/NF hybrids. Leon is a long-term leading light of the IDA, NWSIA and ADA.

Landmark plants:

• Office of Saline Water Freeport test facility;
• Jebel Ali (Dubai, UAE, 212,000m³/d MSF/400MW gas turbine);
• Al Khobar (Saudi Arabia, 227,000m³/d MSF/440MW steam turbine);
• Al Mirfa (Abu Dhabi, UAE, 56,800m³/d/200MW generation);
• Shoaiba (Saudi Arabia, 379,000m³/d/500MW generation)