This edition, organized within the framework of the IDIWATER project by the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC), included the participation of technicians from all African countries covered by the project.
Since 2010, this course has contributed to the transfer of knowledge to more than 800 technicians, with the objective of strengthening the technical capacities of partners from third countries.
The course provided a comprehensive overview of the main desalination technologies, including membrane processes (such as reverse osmosis and electrodialysis) and thermal distillation processes, as well as their integration with renewable energy sources (solar and wind) for autonomous operation.
This training was specifically focused on the application of the acquired knowledge in rural and remote areas of the consortium countries, where water resources are scarce and access to electricity grids is limited.
The course was structured into nine thematic modules covering:
- – Basic concepts of desalination and renewable energy
- – Membrane processes (RO, EDR) and energy recovery
- – Distillation technologies
- – Solar thermal energy applied to desalination
- – Reverse osmosis systems powered by solar photovoltaic and wind energy
- – Other emerging technologies
- – Non-technical aspects: water quality, post-treatment, and brine management
The methodology was based on interactive learning, where participants progressed through the reading of course materials, completion of intermediate and final assessments, and participation in discussion forums.
The course began on 2 March 2026 and lasted four weeks. Participants came from a total of eight institutions in Mauritania (University of Nouakchott), Cape Verde (University of Cape Verde, Águas e Energias do Maio, Agência Nacional de Água e Saneamento, Águas de Ponta Preta, and Sistema Ingeniería), Senegal (University of Ziguinchor), and Ghana (CSIR Water Research Institute).
Of the enrolled participants, 31 actively followed the training programme, of whom 7 were women (22.6%). All successfully completed the course and received their corresponding certificate of achievement.
The course was anonymously evaluated by participants through a satisfaction survey. The results reflected a highly positive overall assessment, particularly highlighting the quality of the content and the practical usefulness of the training. The course provided an up-to-date overview of technological solutions for water management in water-scarce environments, integrating technical, environmental, and socio-economic aspects.
With this edition, the total number of participants since the course was launched in 2010 has reached 847, consolidating the initiative as an effective tool for capacity building in desalination and renewable energy technologies. It also confirms the strong potential of this type of online training to reach professionals from different countries and regions, contributing to knowledge transfer in the fields of water management and sustainability.
This initiative has been developed within the framework of the IDIWATER Project, co-financed at 85% by the European Union with ERDF funds through the Interreg MAC 2021–2027 Programme and integrated into the DESAL+ Living Lab Platform.
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