Casablanca – Morocco is accelerating the rollout of its national seawater desalination strategy as part of a broader effort to strengthen long-term water security, amid increasing pressure on conventional water resources and recurring drought conditions.

Recent international reporting, including from the Spanish daily El Español, highlights the scale and pace of the country’s ambitions in this field. The strategy is built around a clear objective: to significantly expand desalinated water production and make it a central component of the national water supply system over the coming years.

By 2030, Morocco aims to reach an annual production capacity of approximately 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water. This would represent a major shift in the structure of water supply, with desalination expected to account for around 60% of drinking water nationwide, compared to roughly 25% at present.

This transition reflects growing concerns over the reliability of traditional water sources, including rainfall, dams, and groundwater, which have been increasingly affected by climate variability and prolonged dry periods. Authorities are therefore moving to diversify supply sources and reduce vulnerability to hydrological fluctuations.

The desalination strategy is part of a comprehensive national plan to expand and modernize water infrastructure. A series of large-scale projects is currently underway or in development across several regions of the country.

One of the flagship initiatives is a major desalination plant planned in Tiznit, with an annual production capacity of up to 350 million cubic meters. This facility is expected to supply both urban centers and surrounding agricultural areas, reflecting a dual objective of securing drinking water while supporting irrigation needs. Its role is also seen as critical in reinforcing food security, particularly in regions exposed to water stress.

In parallel, additional desalination plants are planned in key coastal cities, including Nador, Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca. These projects are expected to add a combined capacity of around 540 million cubic meters per year, further strengthening the national network of desalination infrastructure.

Currently, Morocco operates 17 desalination plants, with a total annual production estimated at approximately 345 million cubic meters. While this represents a solid foundation, the upcoming projects are set to significantly expand capacity over the next few years.

Most of the new facilities are expected to become operational before 2027. A notable feature of these projects is their reliance on renewable energy sources. This approach aligns with Morocco’s broader energy transition strategy, which seeks to increase the share of renewables in the national energy mix while reducing the environmental footprint of large-scale infrastructure.

The integration of renewable energy into desalination operations is particularly important given the energy-intensive nature of the process. By coupling desalination with solar and wind power, Morocco aims to balance water security objectives with sustainability considerations.

Beyond desalination itself, the country is also developing complementary initiatives that reflect a more integrated approach to resource management. Among these is a project linked to the port of Tan-Tan, which is expected to serve as a hub for the export of green hydrogen and ammonia. This initiative illustrates the intersection between water policy and energy transition, as desalination can support the production of green hydrogen by providing the necessary water inputs.

The broader strategy underscores a shift toward long-term planning in response to structural challenges. Climate change projections indicate that water scarcity is likely to intensify in North Africa, making investments in alternative water sources increasingly necessary.

In this context, desalination is being positioned not merely as a supplementary solution, but as a cornerstone of Morocco’s future water system. The scale of planned investments and infrastructure suggests a deliberate move toward reducing dependence on unpredictable natural water cycles.

At the same time, the expansion of desalination capacity is expected to have economic and social implications, particularly in terms of ensuring stable water access for households, agriculture, and industry. Reliable water supply is considered a key factor in supporting economic resilience, especially in sectors that are highly dependent on water availability.

As the country continues to implement its strategy, the coming years will be critical in determining how effectively these projects translate into tangible improvements in water availability and sustainability.

With multiple large-scale facilities under development, increasing integration of renewable energy, and a clear long-term target, Morocco is positioning desalination as a central pillar of its response to water scarcity and as a strategic tool to secure both water and energy needs in a changing climate.