Morocco is preparing to expand its seawater desalination system in Laayoune with a third treatment unit that could add about 300 liters per second to the city’s water production capacity.
The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is conducting a study for the expansion, which is intended to strengthen drinking water supplies to Laayoune and the nearby centers of El Marsa, Foum El Oued and Tarouma.
The proposed unit would have an indicative capacity of 300 liters per second, equivalent to about 26,000 cubic meters of water per day. If that capacity is confirmed, the overall desalination system would increase from its current 600 liters per second to about 900 liters per second.
The expansion comes as the region experiences population and economic growth and faces limited conventional water resources.
According to information provided by ONEE to Hespress, the existing system consists of two seawater desalination plants, each with a capacity of 300 liters per second.
The proposed third unit would use reverse osmosis technology. Its final capacity will be determined following a detailed assessment of water requirements, particularly during periods of peak demand.
The study will also examine whether the existing facilities, seawater intake, connecting networks and hydraulic infrastructure can accommodate the expansion and identify any upgrades or additional works required.
Integrated water system
The project would extend beyond the construction of a new desalination unit.
ONEE said the planned expansion would include infrastructure for transporting treated water, pumping stations and storage reservoirs, as well as electrical connections and a remote-management system linking the various components of the network.
The system would connect the seawater intake and desalination facilities with storage and pumping infrastructure to improve coordination and management of the water supply.
Environmental considerations will also form part of the project studies, given the region’s climatic conditions, including high temperatures, salinity and strong winds carrying sand.
ONEE said the design would take into account measures to limit the effects of erosion, salinity, corrosion and sand-related blockages, with the aim of ensuring the durability and efficiency of the facilities.
Water and economic development
The expansion could also have broader implications for economic development in Laayoune and surrounding areas, where investment activity includes port operations, phosphate production, industry and energy projects.
Public policy researcher Hamdat Lahcen said the expansion should be viewed not only as an effort to secure drinking water but also as an investment in infrastructure needed to support the city’s economic and urban growth.
He said greater desalination capacity could provide additional room to meet the needs of residents, businesses and future investments, particularly in industrial, port, logistics and energy activities that require reliable water supplies.
“Water has become a decisive factor in locating and sustaining investments,” Lahcen told Hespress.
He said the development of seawater intakes, pumping, storage and water-transport infrastructure alongside increased desalination capacity reflected a broader effort to build a water system capable of supporting future development.
However, Lahcen cautioned that desalination remains associated with significant economic and energy costs.
He said the expansion should therefore be accompanied by energy-efficiency measures and greater use of renewable energy, as well as efforts to control operating and maintenance costs and protect infrastructure from salinity, corrosion and drifting sand.
The researcher also highlighted the importance of managing future demand, reducing losses in distribution networks and balancing residential and economic water needs.
“The success of the water strategy in Laayoune will be measured not only by the volume of water produced by desalination plants, but also by their ability to provide a sustainable and secure supply at an affordable cost,” Lahcen said.
The proposed expansion ultimately reflects a broader shift toward non-conventional water resources in a region where natural supplies are limited, with the effectiveness of the investment depending on how closely water planning is integrated with energy, urban development and environmental policies.
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