Morocco plans to supply 60% of its drinking water from desalinated seawater by 2030, up from the current level of about 25%, according to the country’s water minister. The announcement comes as the country continues to face the effects of a prolonged drought that has lasted seven years.
The government is accelerating investment in desalination plants powered by renewable energy as part of its broader strategy to secure water supply and support agricultural production and exports. Drought conditions have reduced water levels in major reservoirs and depleted underground water resources.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Water Congress in Marrakech, Water Minister Nizar Baraka said Morocco plans to produce 1.7 billion cubic metres of desalinated water annually by 2030. This output is expected to come from plants currently under construction as well as additional facilities that will be put out to tender starting next year.
The largest planned desalination project, with an estimated investment of about 10 billion dirhams (around $1 billion), will be located near Tiznit
The largest planned desalination project, with an estimated investment of about 10 billion dirhams (around $1 billion), will be located near Tiznit. The plant is expected to have a capacity of 350 million cubic metres and will supply both urban centres and surrounding agricultural areas.
"Studies are underway as part of preparations for the plant's tender, to be announced by mid next year," Baraka said.
Additional desalination plants are planned in several locations, including Nador and Tangier, as well as in Rabat in partnership with Veolia. A further project is also planned in Tantan, where the government is considering the construction of a port dedicated to green hydrogen and ammonia exports.
Morocco currently operates 17 desalination plants with a combined annual production capacity of 345 million cubic metres. Four additional plants are under construction with a total capacity of 540 million cubic metres and are scheduled for completion by 2027. These include a major facility in Casablanca.
"All new desalination plants will be powered by renewable energy," Baraka said.
The country is also addressing water losses caused by rising temperatures and evaporation in dams. Floating solar panels have been installed on a dam near Tangier to reduce evaporation losses, which the minister said account for around 30% of the country’s surface water.
"The experiment will be expanded to include dams in the south and mountainous regions," Baraka said.
