Latest news with #NationalDrinkingWaterSupplyandIrrigationProgram
Morocco World
26-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
EIB Injects €70 Million to Boost Morocco's Drinking Water Infrastructure
Doha – The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €70 million financing contract with Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE). The funds will strengthen drinking water infrastructure across the country, particularly in small and medium-sized cities and rural areas facing increasing pressure on water resources. The financing, supported by the European Union through its guarantee mechanism, will help implement ONEE's 2025-2030 Equipment Plan. It focuses on high-impact local investments to modernize, secure, and optimize drinking water production and transportation systems in multiple regions. 'Ensuring sustainable access to drinking water is a vital priority, especially for territories most exposed to climate change effects,' said EIB Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris. 'This new financing demonstrates the EIB's commitment to supporting Morocco in implementing sustainable, local, and resilient solutions.' The project addresses Morocco's growing water stress, exacerbated by rising temperatures, increased drought frequency, and higher consumption. It aims to modernize equipment, reduce network losses, improve energy efficiency, and secure drinking water supply to vulnerable territories. The funding will also support reconstruction of hydraulic infrastructure damaged by the September 2023 earthquake, strengthening water supply system resilience in affected areas. EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac stated that 'the signing of this new financing contract responds to one of modern Morocco's priorities and demonstrates a strong, structured partnership between the European Union and Morocco. For over 20 years, we have worked together to address this common challenge.' For his part, ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane stressed Morocco's efforts under royal guidance to secure the country's drinking water supply. 'Through this financing, ONEE, as the state's armed wing in the drinking water sector, will continue its deployment to guarantee secure and reliable access to drinking water for populations,' he articulated. On May 12, King Mohammed VI reviewed Morocco's water management recovery plan during a ministerial council in Rabat. Agriculture Minister Ahmed Bouari reported that recent rainfall, particularly in March, had a 'very positive impact' on cereal production, autumn and spring crops, fruit trees, and vegetation cover. Water Minister Nizar Baraka reported that Morocco's average dam filling rate currently stands at 40.3%, allowing the mobilization of 6.7 billion cubic meters of water. This amount equals one and a half years of potable water consumption nationwide, significantly improving the country's water security outlook. This operation aligns with the EIB's Climate Roadmap 2021–2025 and contributes directly to sustainable development goals, particularly clean water and climate action. The initiative also supports the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI, 2020–2027), advancing Morocco's climate adaptation priorities and reinforcing EU commitments under the Green Partnership for a resilient and sustainable economy. Last week, ONEE secured €300 million from European partners to modernize and extend Morocco's national electricity grid across 731 kilometers, encompassing €170 million from the EIB itself. The expansion aims to better integrate renewable energy sources and increase transmission capacity by 1,850 megavolt-amperes. On May 19, Morocco signed a landmark $14 billion agreement with the United Arab Emirates to transform its water and energy infrastructure by 2030. The megadeal includes a 1,400-kilometer high-voltage transmission corridor and four desalination facilities capable of producing 900 million cubic meters of water annually. Spain has also committed €340 million toward the construction of Africa's largest desalination plant in Casablanca. The €620 million facility will provide 300 million cubic meters of water annually for over seven million residents in the metropolitan region. Read also: African Development Bank: Morocco Sets Water Engineering Standard for Africa
Morocco World
29-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches New Seawater Desalination Plant in Sidi Ifni
Rabat – The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has started operating a new seawater desalination plant to strengthen and secure the drinking water supply for Sidi Ifni and nearby areas. These include areas in the provinces of Sidi Ifni and Tiznit, such as Aglou, Mirleft, and Arbaa Sahel, as well as rural communities in both provinces, said ONEE in a statement. The project, which cost nearly MAD 320 million, was funded through a loan from the German Development Bank (KfW). The first phase of the project involves building a desalination plant with a daily capacity of 8,640 cubic meters (100 liters per second), which can later be expanded to 17,280 cubic meters per day (200 liters per second). It also includes the installation of a 54-kilometer-long water pipeline, with diameters ranging from 400 to 500 millimeters. ONEE noted that the Sidi Ifni plant uses reverse osmosis technology, which incorporates the latest energy recovery systems to optimize the cost of producing desalinated water. The project is part of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) 2020-2027. The agreement for this program was signed before King Mohammed VI in early 2020. The new plant in Sidi Ifni will ensure a stable water supply for an estimated 85,000 residents and reduce pressure on the Youssef Ben Tachfine Dam, which was previously the main water source for the region. The project is set to improve the living conditions of local communities and support economic and tourism development in the area. ONEE has carried out other major water and sanitation projects in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region to meet the growing demand for these essential services. It stated that over the past 15 years, a total investment of MAD 900 million has been made in the region. Several cities in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region have been struggling with frequent water cuts and shortages. This reflects the severity of Morocco's ongoing water crisis, which has been worsened by drought and increasing demand. Tags: desalinationSidi Ifniwater
Morocco World
01-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONEE Launches MAD 41 Million Project to Enhance Drinking Water Supply
Rabat – The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has launched the first phase of a key project designed to enhance the drinking water supply in several provinces. The project covers the Mkanssa commune in the Taounate province, as well as neighboring areas in Sidi Kacem and Moulay Yaacoub. Valued at 41 million Moroccan dirhams, the initiative aims to improve the region's access to clean water through production facilities sourced from the Al Wahda dam. Funded by ONEE, with a loan from the German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau/KFW), the first phase of the project has a cost of 24 MDH. It involves the installation of 28.5 kilometers of pipelines with diameters ranging from 300 to 400 mm to connect the production systems to the local communities. The second phase, scheduled for completion by December 2025, will include the construction of a 500 m³ drinking water reservoir and a pumping station capable of pumping 45 liters per second. This project is part of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) 2020-2027, which was officially launched in January 2020 under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The goal of the program is to ensure the continuous and secure water supply to the communes of Mkanssa, El Ghouazi, and Beni Snous in Taounate. Additionally, it will benefit the communes of Mrabih and Selfat in Sidi Kacem, and Sebt Loudaya in Moulay Yaâcoub, providing clean water to a total of over 72,000 people. The project is expected to significantly improve the living conditions of the local populations and contribute to the region's socio-economic development. Tags: Drinking Water Projectfes meknes regionwater supply
