Morocco is currently developing four seawater desalination plants with a combined annual capacity of 567 million cubic meters, aiming to bring them into operation by the end of the year at the latest, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka said Friday.
In a written parliamentary response regarding the country’s seawater desalination projects, Baraka said the initiative is part of a “ambitious national program” launched under the directives of King Mohammed VI. The program seeks to ensure potable water supplies for coastal and inland cities and support irrigation of agricultural land, targeting an overall mobilization of 1.7 billion cubic meters per year by 2030.
Currently, Morocco operates 17 desalination plants producing 350 million cubic meters annually, with the four new projects under construction aimed at increasing capacity to 567 million cubic meters, Baraka added.
Two of the projects, in El Jadida and Safi, are partially operational since 2023, with full capacity expected by the end of 2026. The Dakhla plant is 78% complete, including an on-site wind power facility, and is expected to begin operations in mid-2026.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s largest desalination plant, in Casablanca, with a total capacity of 300 million cubic meters annually, has reached 50% completion, with the first phase producing 200 million cubic meters set to start by the end of 2026.
Baraka said these projects are being implemented through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and will use renewable energy. He also noted that Morocco has 11 planned coastal desalination projects, including in the Eastern region, Tangier, Rabat, Essaouira, and Guelmim, with studies either completed or underway.
“The partnership model reduces the state’s direct financial burden, leverages advanced technical expertise, and improves operational efficiency while encouraging innovation and sustainable investment in the sector,” Baraka wrote.
The program also includes mobile desalination units to serve rural areas. So far, 124 of the planned 244 units have been delivered, producing a total of 771 liters per second, with 77 additional units already being installed to produce 514 liters per second. The remainder are expected to be operational within the year.
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