Strategic Morocco-Czech partnership to produce drinking water from air

Wednesday 02 July 2025 - 15:05

By: Zahouani Ilham

Strategic Morocco-Czech partnership to produce drinking water from air

The Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN) and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Morocco have signed a strategic agreement aimed at introducing Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology in Morocco. Facilitated through CzechAid, a program of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the partnership focuses on using innovative technologies to combat water scarcity.

Under this agreement, two pilot AWG units will be delivered and deployed by the Czech company CZECHOSLOVAK EXPORT a.s., affiliated with the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), one of Europe’s leading industrial conglomerates. This initiative reflects a growing commitment between Morocco and the Czech Republic to tackle climate challenges through sustainable technological solutions.

The project, titled “Water Production Equipment from Air for Morocco,” seeks to implement a low-carbon system capable of producing clean drinking water directly from atmospheric humidity. The chosen solution is the award-winning, patented Emergency Water from Air (EWA) system, developed by the University Centre for Energy-Efficient Buildings (UCEEB) at the Czech Technical University in Prague and manufactured by KARBOX s.r.o., a CSG company.

Funded by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs via CzechAid, the initiative will deliver two demonstration units to be tested under Moroccan climatic conditions. The goal is to evaluate their scalability, especially in remote and arid regions of Morocco and nearby areas.

This endeavor aligns closely with Morocco’s New Development Model, which emphasizes the strategic link between water security, clean energy innovation, and climate adaptation. Integrating cutting-edge AWG technology into Morocco’s research, industrial, and energy ecosystems could pave the way for broader, more inclusive, and sustainable development.

Large-scale deployment of such systems could provide new economic opportunities in isolated regions, particularly in agriculture, services, and industry, which currently lack access to seawater desalination. This would, in turn, strengthen the resilience and strategic autonomy of communities across the African region.

Beyond its technological aims, the project also facilitates knowledge transfer, capacity building, and enhanced scientific cooperation between Moroccan and Czech institutions. It supports potential local manufacturing of clean technologies within Morocco’s green industrial ecosystem.

Samir Rachidi, Director General of IRESEN, emphasized that this initiative is more than a pilot deployment. It symbolizes a shared commitment between Morocco and the Czech Republic to use science and innovation as engines of inclusive and sustainable growth.

He highlighted IRESEN’s continued mission to promote Morocco’s energy transition and sustainable development by deploying green technologies and strengthening national capacities while fostering international cooperation.

Ladislav Škeřík, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Morocco, voiced his country’s pride in supporting a high-impact project that unites Czech innovation and Moroccan expertise to benefit both people and the environment. He described it as a strong example of Czech development cooperation, delivering practical, long-lasting solutions through trusted local partnerships.

The pilot units are scheduled for installation in the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by a two-year phase of technical evaluation, data analysis, and market exploration. This phase will help assess the reproducibility, industrial integration, and regional expansion potential of the technology.

Ultimately, this initiative not only launches a pioneering project but also lays the foundation for a long-term partnership rooted in innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.