Morocco Introduces Ambitious Desalination Project, Aiming For 1.4 Billion Cubic Meters Production Milestone
Nizar Baraka, Morocco’s Minister of Infrastructure and Water, emphasized the imperative of prioritizing water desalination to address the structural water deficit exacerbated by global warming, as reported by MAP, Agence Marocaine de Presse.
Baraka outlined ambitious goals, stating that by 2030, half of the country’s drinking water will be sourced from desalination. To achieve this, the government has devised a comprehensive plan to construct multiple desalination plants, aiming for a total production capacity of 1.4 billion cubic meters by the specified deadline.
Highlighting OCP’s role, Baraka indicated that the company will oversee the desalination of 560 million cubic meters, with 500 million cubic meters earmarked for agricultural use and the remainder allocated for drinking water supply.
The government’s strategy involves equipping coastal towns with desalination facilities through collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors. Consequently, these towns will no longer rely on dam water, which will instead be redirected to fulfill the needs of inland communities, rural areas, and irrigation purposes.
Baraka underscored the principle of solidarity in addressing water stress by extending drinking water networks and alleviating pressure on dams. This approach aims to ensure equitable distribution, with dam water prioritized for inland regions, rural communities, and the agricultural sector, thereby fostering sustainable water management across the country.
