Souss-Massa: A 15 Billion Dirham Desalination Project to Strengthen Water Security

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The Souss-Massa region is set to welcome a new strategic infrastructure aimed at sustainably enhancing its water supply. A large seawater desalination plant is planned between the provinces of Tiznit and Chtouka-Aït Baha, with an estimated investment of nearly 15 billion dirhams.

With a projected capacity of 350 million cubic meters of desalinated water per year, this future facility would be one of the major water projects in the region. Its ambition is to simultaneously meet the needs of agriculture and provide drinking water to the population.

A Capacity Primarily Dedicated to Agriculture

Of the 350 million cubic meters planned annually, 250 million would be allocated for irrigation, while the remaining 100 million cubic meters would serve as drinking water supply.

This distribution underscores the importance of the agricultural sector in the Souss-Massa region, where the availability of water resources is a major issue for the sustainability of economic and agricultural activities.

The provinces of Tiznit, Chtouka-Aït Baha, and Taroudant are among the areas likely to benefit directly from this new infrastructure. The project also includes a connection to a hydraulic network covering the Massa, El Guerdane, and Souss basins.

The goal is to better distribute the available resources and support areas facing high pressure on their water reserves.

Reducing Pressure on Groundwater

Beyond increasing the available volumes, the project aims to limit dependence on groundwater, which is heavily utilized for agricultural and domestic needs.

Increased reliance on desalination could thus help preserve underground resources while ensuring a more consistent water supply. This direction is part of a broader strategy to diversify water sources in the face of challenges related to water stress and drought periods.

Renewable Energies at the Core of the Project

The future plant is also expected to integrate a significant energy dimension. Its operation would be powered by renewable energies, in order to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the desalination process and better control operating costs.

This combination of unconventional water production and the use of clean energies aligns with an approach aimed at reconciling water security and energy transition.

The project also builds on the experience gained from the Douira desalination plant, located in the province of Chtouka-Aït Baha, which already contributes to the water supply of Greater Agadir and the irrigation of agricultural lands.

With an announced annual capacity of 350 million cubic meters, the new infrastructure would mark a significant scale change for the Souss-Massa region.

Preparations currently involve technical, environmental, and land studies, as well as the various administrative procedures necessary before the commencement of works. The project is expected to rely on a public-private partnership model.