Innovative Desalination Plant Set to Alleviate Water Scarcity in Casablanca
Morocco is making significant strides in constructing a massive desalination plant in Casablanca, designed to harness water from the Atlantic Ocean through two underwater pipelines, each measuring 1.85 kilometers in length. This ambitious project aims to produce up to 300 million cubic meters of potable water per year, which equates to a staggering 300 billion liters. With this impressive capacity, the facility is expected to serve approximately 7.5 million residents in the Greater Casablanca area and nearby cities, addressing the growing water demand in a region characterized by high population density and robust economic activity.
Located in Sidi Rahal within the metropolitan area of Casablanca, the desalination plant will occupy a coastal area of 50 hectares, strategically positioned to facilitate direct water intake from the ocean, onshore treatment, and regional distribution of the produced water. The project's anticipated final capacity is reported to reach up to 838,000 cubic meters per day, making it one of the most ambitious water infrastructure projects currently underway in Africa, as documented by the Arab Urban Development Institute and Acciona.
Strategic Importance and Renewable Energy Integration
This desalination facility is part of Morocco's broader strategy to diversify its water sources amid rising pressures on traditional reservoirs and aquifers exacerbated by declining rainfall and increasing urban and agricultural demands. According to reports from Reuters, the Moroccan government aims to increase the share of desalinated water in its potable supply to 60% by 2030, following a target of 25% in 2025.
The operation begins at the ocean floor, where the two intake lines will draw saline water to the treatment station. Upon arrival, the water undergoes several critical stages, including pre-treatment, reverse osmosis, post-treatment, and quality control, ensuring it meets public supply standards. Central to this process is reverse osmosis technology, widely used in large desalination plants to effectively separate salts and other contaminants from seawater using specialized membranes.
The complexity of the project extends beyond the visible coastal area, incorporating reverse osmosis units, pre-treatment and post-treatment systems, sludge treatment facilities, and a dedicated operational control center. This center will oversee water production, equipment performance, and the integration of various system stages to ensure a consistent supply and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the project includes a 2.5-kilometer submarine outfall for discharging saline concentrate generated during the desalination process, facilitating the return of a fraction of the extracted seawater back to the ocean in compliance with environmental licensing standards.
In addition to its advanced technical aspects, the plant's energy matrix is noteworthy. Given that desalination is an energy-intensive process, the facility will be powered by renewable energy sourced from the 360 MW Bir Anzarane wind farm, with 47% of its production dedicated to supporting the desalination process through a supply agreement. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, significantly impacting the overall cost of the water produced by large-scale plants.
The projected annual output is divided into 250 million cubic meters for urban supply and up to 50 million cubic meters for regional agricultural activities, thus extending the plant's utility beyond just domestic consumption. Casablanca, as Morocco's economic hub, is characterized by its population density, industrial activities, and vital infrastructure, making water security a critical concern for the continuity of urban and productive activities in the region.
With the construction of this desalination plant, the Al Baidaa Desalination Company—comprising Acciona (50%), Green of Africa (45%), and AfriquiaGaz (5%)—is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing water scarcity issues. Under a public-private partnership with the Office National de l’Électricité et de l’Eau Potable, Acciona will be responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility for 27 years. The total investment for the plant is projected at 6.5 billion Moroccan dirhams, roughly equivalent to 613 million euros.
Although the plant is set to be completed in 2028, it will be implemented in phases to gradually increase water production as the intake, treatment, energy, pumping, storage, and distribution systems are integrated and refined to meet regional needs. The development of this desalination facility exemplifies how coastal nations are incorporating marine resources into their water security policies, complementing, rather than replacing, freshwater sources such as rivers, dams, and groundwater. In the case of Casablanca, much of the infrastructure will remain submerged, buried, or distanced from urban centers, yet the water produced will significantly bolster a region that is vital to the population and economy of Morocco.
As reported by es.clickpetroleoegas.com.br.
