Morocco’s Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurated the construction of the Casablanca seawater desalination plant on Monday, a landmark project set to be the largest of its kind in Africa. The plant, once completed, will have an annual production capacity of 300 million cubic meters, benefiting an estimated 7.5 million inhabitants.
This initiative reflects the high importance HM King Mohammed VI places on addressing the strategic issue of water, especially in the current context marked by a significant rainfall deficit and intense pressure on conventional water resources across the Kingdom.
National Water Supply Program:
The project is a key component of the “Improving Water Supply” axis within the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027, launched by His Majesty the King in 2020 with a total investment of 143 billion dirhams.
The plant will cater to the growing water demands of Greater Casablanca, Settat, Berrechid, Bir Jdid, and surrounding regions. The construction will occur in two phases on a 50-hectare site, with a total investment of 6.5 billion dirhams, funded through a public-private partnership.
Phased Development:
The first phase, expected to be operational by the end of 2026, will see the plant reach a capacity of 548,000 cubic meters of treated water per day (200 million cubic meters annually). The second phase, planned for mid-2028, will expand capacity to 822,000 cubic meters per day, adding 100 million cubic meters per year, including 50 million cubic meters for agricultural use.
This extensive project includes the construction of a reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant and a comprehensive water transport system. The system will feature three pumping stations, three storage tanks, and a 130-kilometer network of supply pipes, requiring an additional investment of 3 billion dirhams from public funds.
Advanced Technology:
The Casablanca desalination plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including two 1,850-meter-long seawater intake pipes, a 2,500-meter-long discharge outfall, pressure filters, microfilters, a sludge treatment unit, a control and management center, and pumping stations. It will also feature a storage reservoir for the produced drinking water.
Sustainable and Efficient:
With an estimated production cost of 4.48 dirhams per cubic meter, the plant will be entirely powered by renewable energy and managed through a fully automated system, ensuring sustainability and efficiency in its operations.
Morocco’s Crown Prince – Desalination – Morocco’s Desalination Plant
