Morocco enhances water security with new desalination plant in Sidi Ifni

Saturday 29 March 2025 - 16:15

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco enhances water security with new desalination plant in Sidi Ifni

The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has officially launched a new seawater desalination plant aimed at bolstering the drinking water supply for Sidi Ifni and surrounding areas. With an estimated 85,000 residents benefiting from this initiative, the plant is expected to alleviate the strain on the Youssef Ben Tachfine Dam, previously the main water source for the region.

The project, which carries a price tag of nearly MAD 320 million, has been financed through a loan from the German Development Bank (KfW). The initial phase of the undertaking includes the construction of a desalination facility with a capacity of 8,640 cubic meters per day (approximately 100 liters per second), with plans for future expansion to 17,280 cubic meters daily (200 liters per second).

Additionally, the project encompasses the installation of a 54-kilometer water pipeline, featuring diameters ranging from 400 to 500 millimeters. Utilizing advanced reverse osmosis technology, the Sidi Ifni plant incorporates cutting-edge energy recovery systems, optimizing the cost of producing desalinated water.

This initiative is part of the broader National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) for 2020-2027, an agreement signed before King Mohammed VI in early 2020. The new plant is poised to enhance the quality of life for local communities while fostering economic and tourism development in the region.

The ongoing water crisis in Morocco, exacerbated by drought and rising demand, has led to frequent shortages and water cuts in several cities within the Guelmim-Oued Noun region. ONEE has previously invested MAD 900 million over the past 15 years to address the increasing need for water and sanitation services in this area.

This ambitious project represents a significant step forward in Morocco's efforts to secure sustainable water resources for its population and combat ongoing challenges related to water scarcity.