As a dynamic industry, the water sector encompasses many challenges and opportunities. At its core, effective leadership is paramount in navigating these complexities, promoting initiatives that drive economic growth and foster societal and environmental well-being. The influence of visionary leaders transcends organizational boundaries, propelling the industry toward a future defined by resilience and prosperity.
Amidst the ranks of water sector leaders, Corrado Sommariva emerges as a beacon of inspiration and innovation. As the Founder and CEO of Sustainable Water and Power Consultants (SWPC), Dr. Corrado Sommariva’s visionary leadership has redefined the water management landscape. With a steadfast commitment to sustainability and excellence, he has propelled SWPC to the forefront of the industry, pioneering groundbreaking solutions to pressing water challenges.
Dr. Corrado Sommariva’s strategic foresight and dedication to environmental stewardship have earned him international acclaim as a trailblazer in the field. His transformative initiatives drive organizational success and set new standards for corporate responsibility and global impact. As a champion of progress, Dr. Corrado Sommariva continues to inspire and lead, shaping a brighter future for upcoming generations.
Distinguished Career
Dr. Corrado Sommariva is a consultant with an international reputation in desalination, power generation, wastewater treatment, and sustainability. With decades of experience, he has held several executive roles in top consultancy firms. These roles include serving as President of the International Desalination Association (IDA) from 2011 to 2013 and President of the European Desalination Society (EDS) from 2004 to 2006.
He also chaired the World Health Organization committee for safe drinking water from desalination. He has contributed to the field through over 100 leading-edge publications and authored four books on desalination and sustainability. His efforts were recognized with an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt University and the prestigious title of Master of Work by the President of Italy in 2015.
Before establishing SWPC, he was the Managing Director at ILF Consulting Engineers, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the company’s reputation in the Middle East in the desalination and power sectors. His earlier tenure includes leadership positions at Mott MacDonald and engineering roles at Ansaldo Energia and Italimpianti.
Foundational Inspiration
Dr. Corrado Sommariva’s journey to founding SWPC was driven by a desire for a more personal engagement in his work. Despite holding high-ranking positions such as board member and managing director in previous firms, he yearned to return to the technical expertise at the heart of his passion. This aspiration, coupled with his successful history and reputation in the industry, fueled the inception of SWPC. From the outset, the company attracted significant client interest, rapidly establishing itself as a renowned consultancy within the desalination sector. Within just five years of operation, SWPC has distinguished itself among the major players in the field, boasting expertise across nine to ten distinct areas.
Engineering Innovations
Founded in 2019 by Dr. Corrado Sommariva, SWPC specializes in desalination and sustainable development in water and power sectors. It was established in the UAE to address the unique challenges of arid regions, focusing on desalination and wastewater treatment. At its core, the company is built by and for engineers, setting a standard for technical excellence in the field. The team, composed of seasoned experts, prioritizes customer satisfaction and professional excellence.
One notable example is the upgrading of the Palm water desalination plant providing the water requirement for the Atlantis and the Palm in district in Dubai. This project was engineered by SWPC for their client DEWA in 2021 and achieved an energy saving of over 1.5 MW along with a 20% increment in production. The project was shortlisted among the first four “Desalination project of the year “ at the 2022 Global Water Intelligence conference.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
Entering the market as a new entity, SWPC faced the initial challenge of establishing trust with clients outside its primary desalination domain. Despite these challenges, SWPC managed to secure a foundational client base whose needs were closely linked to the company’s expertise, allowing it to commence operations with relatively modest projects. These initial successes facilitated gradual expansion, underpinned by positive client references.
Building a reputation in the sustainability sector proved to be a meticulous process for SWPC, underscored by the principle that while reputation takes time to establish, it can be compromised in moments. The company’s commitment to delivering exceptional service became its guiding philosophy, earning clients’ and employees’ trust and gratitude. The hard work and intense dedication of its team members were critical to SWPC’s success.
Dr. Corrado Sommariva was keen to foster a company culture beyond conventional corporate boundaries, envisioning SWPC as a large family where employees felt comfortable and valued. Embracing a progressive approach, SWPC became one of the first companies in the UAE to adopt a ‘work from anywhere’ policy. This flexibility underscored a focus on job completion and employee well-being over traditional workplace norms, setting SWPC apart in the competitive market.
Comprehensive Services
SWPC provides various engineering and consultancy services spanning the entire project lifecycle. It offers expertise in desalination, water transmission, carbon capture, sustainability, power generation, and renewable energy from pre-bid design to post-commissioning support. The services include feasibility studies, economic studies, optimization studies, rehabilitation studies, and environmental impact assessment studies. Additionally, SWPC offers conceptual design, permit acquisition, detail design, process engineering, simulations, stress analysis, and construction design.
The company also assists with root cause analysis, safety assessment, advisory projects for EPC and IWPP, PWPA contracts, project development, tendering, contract drafting, project management, construction supervision, material requisition, procurement and follow-up, start-up and initial operation, maintenance instruction, operation instruction, staff training, and HAZOP studies, ensuring comprehensive support throughout every phase of a project.
Navigating the Pandemic
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, SWPC experienced unexpected growth, with turnover increasing by 100%. The company’s unique advantage stemmed from its established “work from anywhere” philosophy, enabling employees to adapt swiftly to remote work conditions. This flexibility ensured minimal disruption to operations and maintained the trust of clients, who were confident in SWPC’s ability to deliver results despite the challenging circumstances.
The pandemic underscored SWPC’s agility and responsiveness, setting it apart from more traditional firms that struggled to transition to remote work. Despite its relatively small size, SWPC leveraged its agility to meet client needs swiftly and effectively. This adaptability was a key factor in the company’s continued success during the pandemic, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry.
Steady Growth Metrics
Since its inception in 2019, SWPC has experienced remarkable growth. Starting with a modest turnover of $500,000 and a team of 4-5 employees, the company has steadily expanded. By 2023, SWPC’s turnover had quadrupled to approximately $2,000,000, with the workforce expanding to 25 employees, plus freelancers. This growth is a testament to the company’s success and increasing prominence within the industry.
| Year | Turnover | Number of Employees |
| 2019 | $500,000 | 4-5 |
| 2023 | $2,000,000 | 25 plus freelancers |
Leadership and Expertise
Dr. Corrado Sommariva oversees all administrative processes, supported by a structured administrative team. He has established himself as a leading expert based on 40 years of operational experience in desalination. His reputation and extensive network have made him a sought-after professional for advice and consultancy projects. This reputation facilitates a consistent workload, enabling rapid expansion from a solo operation to a collective of skilled professionals. His dual role encompasses driving technical excellence and managing a team of highly qualified professionals, ensuring the company’s leadership in engineering innovation and sustainable development.
Evolution of Expertise
Dr. Corrado Sommariva’s initial focus at SWPC naturally centered on desalination, where he held deep expertise and leadership roles, including being a member of the WHO Committee for Safe Desalination Water Use. This foundational expertise attracted clients eager for his involvement in projects, setting the stage for the company’s early direction.
As SWPC’s scope of work expanded, it began encompassing technical advice, design review, site supervision, and due diligence. Dr. Corrado Sommariva leveraged his network to bring in professionals with proven experience to support this growth, further solidifying desalination as a cornerstone of the company’s services.
The second critical area of focus emerged as sustainability, particularly in water use, reflecting the interconnectedness of water sector work and sustainable development in the Middle East. A region with high energy demands for water production, one of SWPC’s primary goals was reducing energy intensity in desalination processes to achieve sustainability. Beyond this, the company ventured into developing sustainable technologies, marking sustainability and water engineering—including water transmission, distribution, and the commissioning and decommissioning of plants, along with carbon capture—as major components of their expertise.
Innovative Sustainability
Dr. Corrado Sommariva confronts the challenge of economic constraints in promoting sustainability, addressing the common perception that eco-friendly practices are costlier. He shifted the narrative towards the long-term economic benefits of sustainability, arguing that, despite initial costs, sustainable development pays off by reducing expenses and fostering financial growth over time.
This approach effectively changed industry perceptions, demonstrating that investing in sustainability is not only beneficial for the environment but also advantageous for a company’s bottom line. Dr. Corrado Sommariva’s innovative strategy successfully highlighted sustainability as a financially sound choice, encouraging a broader acceptance and integration of sustainable practices in the business sector.
Achievements beyond Work
Beyond his corporate achievements, Dr. Sommariva has significantly contributed to the desalination community. He served as Co-Chairman of the Technical Program for the 2009 IDA World Congress in Dubai and founded IDA’s humanitarian outreach committee. His academic credentials include a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Genoa University, a Diploma in Management from Leicester University, and honorary professorships at Genoa and L’Aquila Universities. Dr. Corrado Sommariva is recognized for his educational contributions, regularly holding courses on desalination, economics, and sustainability.
“In the following segment, Dr. Corrado Sommariva addresses questions posed by our editorial team, shedding light on his leadership philosophy and SWPC’s future plans.”
1. What is your leadership philosophy?
My leadership philosophy centers on service—serving both clients and employees. I believe that a good manager doesn’t dictate but rather ensures that the conditions are set for the company to thrive and for employees to perform at their best. Rather than seeing myself as the “boss,” I view the company as a big family where everyone feels at home and is motivated to excel.
Implementing a significant bonus scheme based on objectives, rather than just fixed salaries, has been particularly rewarding and motivating for our team. Looking ahead, we hope to transition to a shareholding model. Overall, our company culture is built on familiarity and friendship, devoid of formalities, where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
2. What are your future plans for growing the company?
Looking ahead, we aim to solidify our position as a premier choice in the Middle East’s water engineering field. This involves prioritizing client satisfaction and striving for excellence in our services. Ultimately, we envision transitioning into an employee-owned company, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment among our team. Our goal is to be recognized as the preferred partner for our clients, known for our expertise, reliability, and dedication to sustainable solutions.
3. Are there any plans to expand into regions beyond the Middle East?
While our primary focus remains on the Middle East, we’ve also undertaken projects in North Africa, South America, and Singapore. Our client base is diverse, spanning continents, with investors from Europe, the US, and Asia. Establishing strong relationships with clients worldwide opens doors for potential expansion beyond our current geographic scope. Although we lack the financial resources to establish branches in regions like the US or Asia, we remain open to opportunistic developments that may arise within our existing geographical area.
4. What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs?
I advise new entrepreneurs to infuse passion into your work and genuinely love what you do. Without this intrinsic motivation, striving for excellence becomes futile. Passion fuels not only your drive but also your ability to excel. Additionally, embrace modesty and set achievable targets. Rather than aiming for lofty goals that may lead to disappointment, focus on steady progress and exceed your modest expectations. By combining passion with modesty, you’ll pave the way for success in your entrepreneurial journey.
“Innovation and service are at the heart of our mission, driving sustainable solutions for the water sector and beyond.”
Dr. Corrado Sommariva.
