Understanding Satellite Data
Exploring the Power of Satellite Data and the Key Players Shaping Water Narratives at WEX Global 2025 in Valencia.
During 2024, I came across many insights from professionals about data accessibility and how satellite data is obtained.
I wanted to dive deeper into how this data is shaped, which led me to invite Jason Hallowes and Lorraine Raby to discuss the topic.
Together, we aimed to provide a broad picture of what satellite data is, what it can be used for, and the challenges surrounding it.
One thing that caught my interest was the different satellites serve different purposes—NASA’s satellites, for example, aren’t the same as those from the European Space Agency.
It was also fascinating to learn about their work monitoring water reservoirs and dams, focusing on key water parameters.
Satellite technology is really important in water management, providing long-term longitudinal analysis and extensive coverage. This enables the consistent monitoring of large areas, including even the most remote regions.
Its practical applications are diverse, including:
Water supply planning, where data is used to forecast availability and optimize distribution systems.
Infrastructure management, such as dams and reservoirs, improving maintenance and operational preparedness.
Regulatory compliance, assisting authorities in monitoring adherence to allocation limits.
Drought mitigation, ensuring more efficient responses to water shortages.
Agricultural water optimization, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to enhance irrigation efficiency.
Disaster preparedness, supporting early warning systems and rapid response strategies.
Groundwater management (Yes, I wondered how a satellite could detect water beneath the soil), improving the tracking and sustainability of underground water sources.
I hope this episode sparks some new ideas and questions for you.
The use of Platforms as a Service is highly valuable, and we should recognize the efforts of the professionals who work on this daily.
It’s important to give them visibility and also to help clients, authorities, and policymakers understand their potential applications.
Data brings clarity, even though we sometimes prefer to rely on other type of sources…
The challenge of data sharing remains an open topic, and we’ll keep exploring and sharing more insights as we go.
WEX Global in Valencia, A Key Event in the Water Industry
WEX Global is one of the most important events in the water industry, bringing together top experts, decision-makers, and innovators to discuss key challenges and solutions.
WEX is the short name for Water and Energy Exchange.
The event serves as a hub for visibility, collaboration, and cutting-edge insights.
Analyzing the speakers, it’s clear that they are among those shaping the water narratives today.
I know some of them personally, and I can confidently say they are not only experts in their field but also passionate individuals dedicated to their work. I highly recommend checking them out, following them on LinkedIn, and keeping an eye on their insights in the near future.
As for the event’s partners—Idrica, Water Alliance, and the Saudi Fund for Development—it’s worth exploring the role each of them plays in this space.
Their involvement raises interesting questions about their strategic interests and contributions to the water sector.
Rather than extending this article further, I encourage you to take a look at the link below to learn more about these key players and their representatives.
Unfortunately, I missed this year’s edition due to personal reasons, but I hope to attend in the future.
If you were there, I’d love to hear your thoughts—what were the biggest highlights? What stood out the most?
TAQA’s Potential Acquisition of GS Inima, What A Strategic Move!!
The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), a UAE state-owned entity, is reportedly in the final stages of due diligence to acquire GS Inima, the Spanish water treatment subsidiary of GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C).
GS Inima, originally acquired by GS E&C in 2012 from the financially troubled Spanish company OHL, has become a global leader in desalination and water treatment. With an unsuccessful IPO attempt in 2022, GS E&C has now opted to sell the company to pursue new business opportunities.
I have had the privilege of knowing professionals within GS Inima personally, and I fully understand the value that this move could bring to TAQA.
Since the early 2000s, the privatization of power and water companies in the Middle East—especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia—has been shaping the industry, leading these companies now to expand into international markets.
This trend is no longer new. However, we must get used to the idea that these players will move the needle in the coming years.
After consolidation, some of them—through IPOs, securing reliable and stable long-term revenue streams from facility operations, etc—are positioned to gain significant influence over key industry decisions.
This acquisition—if completed—would be another sign of the shifting power dynamics in the water sector, further cementing the Middle East’s role in shaping the industry’s future.