King Mohammed VI urges speeding up desalination projects powered by clean energy

King Mohammed VI underscored the need to address the water challenge by speeding up desalination projects that are powered by renewable energies.

In a speech on the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne, the King underscored the pressing need to take “urgent, innovative steps in order to avoid water shortages,” following six years of drought that emptied dams and depleted underground water.

Drought was complicated by a rising demand and delays in completing water policy projects.

In this respect, the King highlighted the role of desalination, citing in particular Casablanca’s plant “which will be the largest of its kind in Africa, and the second worldwide to be 100% powered by clean energy.”

Desalination plants, would help Morocco cover more than half of its drinking needs by 2030 and supply 1.7 billion cubic meters of fresh water annually, said the King.

“This will also make it possible to irrigate vast farming areas, thereby helping to enhance the country’s food security,” he said.

“And since water production from desalination plants requires supplying these facilities with clean energy, it is necessary to expedite the completion of the electrical connectivity project to transfer renewable energy from the southern provinces to the country’s central and northern areas as soon as possible,” he said.

The monarch also called for “the development of a national water desalination industry as well as courses for the training of specialized engineers and technicians. I also encourage the creation of Moroccan companies specialized in the construction and maintenance of desalination plants.”

He also urged building dams in areas receiving significant rainfall as well as building waterways connecting the water-rich bassins of Oued Laou and Loukkos to the Oum Er-Rbia basin, through the Sebou and Bouregreg basins.

“Considering the efforts that are being made to provide water for us all, we ought to be honest with ourselves regarding the sound, rational use of water resources. Indeed, spending billions and billions in order to mobilize water resources, only to see that cases of waste and misuse continue to exist, is unacceptable.” The King said.