Facing Increasing Water Challenges, Maghreb Countries are Massively Investing in Seawater Desalination
In response to growing water challenges, Maghreb countries are making significant investments in seawater desalination, an essential solution for securing drinking water supplies for populations and supporting agriculture in this arid region. These facilities transform saline water into consumable freshwater, providing an alternative to conventional hydraulic resources, which are increasingly under pressure. Among global references, the Taweelah plant in the United Arab Emirates produces 909,000 m³ of water per day, while Saudi Arabia operates several giant complexes, such as Ras Al-Khair (1.04 million m³/day). In Algeria, the El Mactaa plant near Oran generates 500,000 m³ daily, illustrating the strategic importance of these infrastructures in the Mediterranean region.
A Major Project to Strengthen Tangier
The city of Tangier has been chosen to host an ambitious seawater desalination project. This major facility, scheduled to be operational between late 2028 and early 2029, will produce a considerable daily volume reaching 150 million cubic meters annually. This announcement comes from the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, who emphasizes the critical importance of this infrastructure for the water future of the region.
This future facility represents a key component of the national response to the water shortages severely affecting Morocco’s northern regions. According to officially communicated figures, the territory supervised by the ABHL (Agency of the Hydraulic Basin of Loukkos) experienced a 3.2% decrease in rainfall compared to historical standards during the 2023-2024 hydrological period. This reduction, while seemingly modest in percentage, has had amplified repercussions on the supply of storage infrastructures, with a drastic 52% reduction in the volume of water reaching the reservoirs in the area. This concerning situation significantly heightens tensions on regional water supply, thereby justifying the urgency for alternative solutions such as large-scale desalination.
Multiple Solutions for Integrated Water Management
Beyond this flagship project in Tangier, several complementary initiatives are being deployed to diversify water supply sources. The minister detailed plans for the installation of mobile desalination units and the implementation of wastewater treatment projects in various locations, including Tangier-Med, Tamuda Bay, Beni Arous, and Ayacha.
In parallel with these desalination efforts, Moroccan authorities are accelerating the construction of new dams and planning innovative infrastructures. The royal plan for interconnecting the hydraulic basins of Oued Laou, Loukkos, Sebou, Bouregreg, and Oum Er-Rbia is a key element of this policy. This interconnection will enable more efficient management of water resources on a national scale, facilitating water transfers between surplus and deficit areas as needed.
Source: lanouvelletribune
