Morocco's commitment to desalination as a solution to its pressing water crisis has unveiled significant business opportunities for companies in the industry. With an ambitious goal of producing **1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water annually by 2030**, this initiative has caught the attention of Spanish firms, which have already established themselves as key players in the nation's water desalination sector. One of the most notable projects on the horizon is planned for the city of Tangier, located in the northern region of the country, where a desalination plant with an estimated capacity of **150 million cubic meters per year** is set to be constructed.
The project is being spearheaded by Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), which has opted for a public-private partnership (PPP) model to finance, build, and operate the infrastructure. Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that **Cox**, a prominent player in the energy sector, is maneuvering to position itself in the bidding process for this significant contract. While local media have suggested that Acciona may be a contender for this contract, other sources have dismissed their involvement. It is noteworthy that [the group led by José Manuel Entrecanales was part of the consortium that secured financing for the Casablanca desalination plant last year](https://www.20minutos.es/lainformacion/empresas/acciona-gana-construccion-mayor-desaladora-africa-por-800-millones-5275923/ "Acciona wins the construction of Africa's largest desalination plant for 800 million"), which is the largest in Africa, valued at 6.5 billion dirhams (approximately 611 million euros at current exchange rates).
As for Cox, **the energy company chaired by Enrique Riquelme is already well-acquainted with the landscape**. The firm has been actively expanding its operations in this market following an agreement made a year ago to enhance its desalination plant in Agadir. This operation, formalized with the local Ministry of Agriculture, involves an additional 125,000 cubic meters per day to an already installed capacity of 275,000, and also includes the construction of a wind farm exceeding 150 MW, with a combined investment of 250 million euros planned between 2025 and 2027. In total, [the company currently manages five water assets that exceed 945,000 m³/day](https://www.20minutos.es/lainformacion/empresas/cox-mercado-arabia-saudi-megaproyecto-solar-termico-1500-millones-5658054/ "Cox ventures into the Saudi market with a 1.5 billion solar thermal megaproject alongside GlassPoint"), operates seven energy generation projects, and holds three concessions for transmission lines.
Key Infrastructure in Morocco's Water Strategy
Returning to the Tangier desalination plant, Moroccan authorities have accelerated the project, which has been in the pipeline for a year. In fact, last April, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) **initiated the phase to select a consultant** to lead the technical, financial, and legal assistance for the works, aiming to hasten the start of construction, which is currently slated for completion between late 2028 and 2029.
Although the expected investment for this infrastructure has not been disclosed, its significance is underscored by the **severe water scarcity** facing the region. Historically, Tangier has relied on the Ibn Battouta and Kharroub dams, as well as limited groundwater resources. However, prolonged drought conditions have drastically reduced these reserves, jeopardizing the supply of potable water.
These investments are tied to a roadmap where Morocco aims to gradually lessen its reliance on coal, increase the share of natural gas, and elevate the contribution of renewable energy to 52% of installed capacity by 2030, up from the current 45%. Concurrently, **the government envisions that 60% of drinking water will come from desalination**, a target that aligns with the goal of achieving 1.7 billion cubic meters of annual production by 2030.
As reported by 20minutos.es.
