Morocco Targets 1.7 Billion M³ of Desalinated Water by 2030 Amid Water Crisis

Tuesday 10 December 2024 - 16:15

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco Targets 1.7 Billion M³ of Desalinated Water by 2030 Amid Water Crisis

Morocco has set an ambitious goal of producing 1.7 billion cubic meters (m³) of desalinated water by 2030 as part of its ongoing efforts to combat the country’s water crisis. This target is central to the updated National Water Plan (PNE), which will guide the country’s water strategy for the next 30 years.

Recent updates from Nizar Baraka, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, reveal a slight improvement in the country’s water resources. As of now, Morocco's reservoirs hold 4.90 billion m³ of water, representing a 29.13% filling rate—up from 23.70% last year. This improvement comes after a surge in rainfall, with national averages reaching 50 mm between September 1 and December 6, an 83% increase from the same period last year. This increase in rainfall has been crucial in helping to meet Morocco’s water needs, especially in securing drinking water supplies for urban areas.

Baraka emphasized that the country’s water management strategy is also focused on irrigation, with 1.066 billion m³ allocated for irrigation in 2024, which makes up 60% of the annual water supply from dams. The remaining 40% will be used for potable water. Furthermore, the country is working on developing integrated water management plans at the regional level through hydraulic basin agencies to ensure sustainable water distribution.

To strengthen water infrastructure, several key projects are underway, including the filling of five new dams—M’dez, Fask, Agdez, Toudgha, and Tiddas. Additionally, projects to enhance water distribution network productivity aim to reach 80% efficiency by 2030. Hydraulic basin interconnection projects, such as the Sebou-Bouregreg-Oum Er Rbia and Sebou-Oued Laou projects, are also nearing completion. Moreover, 17 new large dams are under construction to complement the existing network of 154 dams.

As part of its strategy to secure water supplies, Morocco has already established 16 seawater desalination stations, with five more currently being built. Baraka highlighted the growth in desalinated water production, which has increased from 145 million m³ when he first joined the government to 270 million m³ today. The new target of 1.7 billion m³ by 2030 is crucial to addressing the country’s water scarcity challenges.

In addition to desalination, Morocco is pursuing initiatives to expand the reuse of treated wastewater, further boosting its water resilience. To address the urgent water needs of rural areas, especially in water-scarce regions, the government has procured 582 tankers and 4,400 cisterns as part of a MAD 471 million (USD 48.5 million) program. These resources will be distributed across 75 provinces and prefectures to ensure equitable water access throughout the country.

A significant development in Morocco's water management efforts came with the announcement that the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) secured €104.7 million (MAD 1.15 billion) in financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The agreement, signed during the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), will support efforts to improve water infrastructure and accessibility across Morocco. This funding will help meet the growing water demands in urban areas and enhance water supply systems in other regions of the country.

Morocco’s water management strategy is a critical part of its broader efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, rising water demand, and regional disparities in water access. With a robust focus on desalination, wastewater reuse, and infrastructure development, Morocco aims to ensure long-term water security for its population.