Already from next year maybe a tanker can dock at Sammisup Tasersua near Atammik to pick up water for export.
The plan is for the water to be led from the lake to the coast through pipes and then pumped on board the tanker. From here it must be sailed to the countries and companies to which the water is to be sold.
Already from next year maybe a tanker can dock at Sammisup Tasersua near Atammik to pick up water for export.
The plan is for the water to be led from the lake to the coast through pipes and then pumped on board the tanker. From here it must be sailed to the countries and companies to which the water is to be sold.
It may sound simple. And according to the director of Agrowa ApS, it is not a complicated production method either.
– It’s not rocket science, fortunately, says Anda Uldum.
In recent years, several companies have had plans to produce water in Greenland with a view to export. Some projects have come to fruition, while others have since fallen silent. Anda Uldum believes, however, that the plans are realistic this time and that the company can start water production as early as next year.
Southern Europe and the Middle East
According to the director, the actual work can only begin after the company has now received permission to exploit Sammisup Tasersua.
– Now we have the permit, and only then will the big work of selling water worldwide begin.
The markets the company is primarily in dialogue with are countries where there is a shortage of water. This applies, among other things, to countries in Southern Europe and the Middle East. The company does not wish to disclose which countries are specifically in question.
– It has not yet been determined exactly who it will be. The reason we do not mention the names of the countries is security. Countries with water shortages consider it a security issue. They do not want to be in a vulnerable situation vis-a-vis other countries by saying, for example: “We are running out of water”, says Anda Uldum.
He says, however, that the interest is great.
– It is not a production you see as often as the one we want to establish. But we can feel a great deal of interest from many countries, he says.
The number of jobs is unknown
The water is primarily to be sold as drinking water and for daily use, but Anda Uldum says that there is also interest from agriculture, which wants to use the water for irrigation. The water will be sold without additives, while the buyer countries themselves will be able to add what they want according to their own rules.
After obtaining permission to exploit the lake, a so-called EIA report must be drawn up before production can begin. Among other things, it must highlight the consequences for nature and the environment. Only then can pipes and other installations be laid at the production site.
The company collaborates with Rambøll Greenland on the planning of production. However, it is not yet known how many jobs the project will create if production becomes a reality.
– I cannot say at this stage how many jobs we will create.
– But of course the desire is to create jobs in the local area. The ship must dock and lie still, and there must be supervision and various other tasks to be completed. For example, the pipes must be inspected and maintained, and we will of course do everything we can to ensure that this has a positive effect for Greenland, says Anda Uldum.
Trump’s interest in Greenland has created greater respect
As a result of the US president’s interest in Greenland, knowledge of the country has increased throughout the world. Agrowa also feels this:
– It has not been very nice for the residents of Greenland and the Greenlanders, but we can feel the very great interest. When we talk to people, we also experience a great deal of respect. We are grateful for that, says Anda Uldum.
The company also wants to make use of the enormous amounts of water in Greenland that flow into the sea.
– We know that huge amounts of water run out and end up in the sea without being used. Naturally, the idea is to utilize it and start producing water in a way that has a good effect for Greenlandic society.
– I hope that within a year we can start exporting water, says Anda Uldum.
– It is very realistic
It is not unusual to transport liquids by ship. For example, juice concentrate is transported from Brazil to Europe. Agrowa ApS has not yet purchased a tanker or entered into an agreement to rent one. But the director emphasizes that it must fall into place.
The company that will produce water from the area at Atammik is called Agrowa ApS and is owned by Nowa Group. Anda Uldum became director in November last year, but says that the company had already been working on starting water production for many years before then.
– The project was started many years ago, more than ten years ago, says the director.
In the past, there have been several companies that have had plans to produce water. How realistic is this project?
– It is very realistic. I fully expect it to become a reality, concludes Anda Uldum.
