Status:
The concept is ready for basic engineering. A comprehensive cost estimate for a unit designed for 500,000 people provides a price range of 1.3 to 1.7 $/m³ of potable water, suitable for niche markets. Potential key partners / investors have been identified.  

Water scarcity affects already hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and this situation will deteriorate with the global population growth and the effects of climate change.

planette.be  has developed the concept of a barge fitted with a reverse osmosis (RO) seawater desalination plant, to be moored in coastal areas and energized by external floating solar panels during daytime and by the on-board power plant fueled with liquid gas (LNG or LPG) during the night, allowing to keep the RO permanently in operation.
The plant and the barge are designed to be built in series on shipyards; the distance from shore ensures naturally a better quality of seawater input than when desalination plants are located onshore.