A recent communication from the Ministry of Equipment and Water has unveiled a new approach for the implementation of seawater desalination projects in the regions of Tiznit, Guelmim, and Tan-Tan, alongside updates on the water linkage project connecting the northern and southern basins to the Al-Masira Dam. Dated May 25, 2026, this memorandum was directed to the President of the House of Councillors as part of fulfilling government commitments made during the oral question session held on January 20, 2026, in accordance with Article 298 of the Council's internal regulations.
Joint Desalination Plant for Guelmim and Tan-Tan
The Ministry has indicated that, in line with a strategy focused on consolidating desalination projects into larger units, a decision has been made to establish a joint desalination plant in Tan-Tan, rather than constructing separate facilities in Guelmim and Tan-Tan. This anticipated plant is expected to have a total production capacity of approximately 100 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually, with plans for it to become operational by 2030. Of this production, around 18 million cubic meters per year will be allocated to meet the drinking water needs of Guelmim and Tan-Tan, while 72 million cubic meters will be designated for irrigation within the region, and an additional 10 million cubic meters for industrial use. This approach reflects a trend towards creating a unified water infrastructure with significant production capabilities, rather than spreading investments across smaller, independent facilities with limited capacity.
Integrating Tiznit's Project into Souss Massa Plant
Regarding the seawater desalination initiative for the Tiznit region, the letter reveals that this project will be integrated into the expansion of the Souss Massa desalination plant, rather than establishing a standalone facility in Tiznit. Following the planned expansion, the total capacity of the plant is expected to reach about 350 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually. Approximately 100 million cubic meters per year will be dedicated to fulfilling the drinking water needs of Tiznit, Taroudant, Sidi Ifni, northern Agadir, and surrounding areas. The remaining volume, which amounts to 250 million cubic meters annually, will be directed towards meeting irrigation water requirements, with the expanded facility anticipated to become operational by 2030. The Ministry has asserted that this consolidated approach to desalination projects is expected to enhance technical efficiency while reducing investment and operational costs, especially since these plants will utilize renewable energy sources, boosting their appeal in public-private partnership frameworks.
Additionally, the memorandum included updates on the second phase of the water linkage project connecting the Sebou, Oum Er-Rbia, and Abu Rakrak basins to the Al-Masira Dam, aimed at addressing water stress issues. The Ministry noted that the connection between the Abu Rakrak and Oum Er-Rbia basins forms part of the second phase of the water basin linkage project, which is included in the National Program for Potable Water Supply and Irrigation for 2020–2027. According to the document, this phase is expected to be executed under an agreement with the Emirati side, represented by the companies 'Taqa Morocco' and 'Nareva Holding,' alongside the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, as part of the strategic partnership between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has reported the completion of detailed studies related to the project, with construction expected to commence in late 2026. These desalination and water linkage projects are central to the water strategy aimed at securing potable water supply, supporting agricultural and industrial activities, and alleviating the increasing pressure on traditional water resources.
As reported by agadir24.info.
