Egypt is moving forward with its ambitious plan to build desalination plants across 11 coastal governorates, aiming to ensure water security for its growing population and support urban development in key coastal regions. Sayed Ismail, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, recently led a meeting to evaluate the progress of the strategic desalination initiative, which extends through 2050, reports Zawya.
The plan focuses on constructing desalination facilities along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, providing vital drinking water resources to 11 governorates, namely Matrouh, Alexandria, Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, Dakahleya, North and South Sinai, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, and the Red Sea. During the meeting, officials from the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater presented proposals and discussed the status of securing land for the new plants, highlighting the challenges faced in different regions.
Ismail emphasized the strategic plan's importance as a national initiative, overseen by the Egyptian cabinet and supported by the country's political leadership. The project, developed by the Ministry of Housing, involves collaboration with several state bodies, including the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Suez Canal Authority, to ensure that water needs are met.
Additionally, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, through the Egypt Sovereign Fund, alongside the Ministry of Finance's Public-Private Partnership Unit, are working on technical studies and tenders to attract both local and international companies for the project.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ismail underscored the need for continued coordination among various state entities to address desalination plant requirements. He also stressed the urgency of completing plans to provide drinking water in cooperation with relevant ministries, highlighting the project's role in Egypt's broader water security strategy. The initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the country’s long-term water needs and supporting sustainable growth in its coastal regions.
