King Mohammed VI highlighted the severe water crisis facing the country and laid out a comprehensive strategy to address the issue.
During a speech on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of ascending to the throne, the King emphasized the urgent need to fast-track desalination projects as a critical component of Morocco’s long-term water policy.
King Mohammed VI acknowledged the “greatest challenges” Morocco faces today, pointing out water scarcity as a pressing issue.
“One of the greatest challenges we are facing today is that of water – a challenge which is becoming increasingly serious due to drought, the impact of climate change, a naturally growing demand and the delay in completing some of the projects planned as part of our water policy,” the King stated.
The monarch emphasized that “six consecutive years of drought have had a profound impact on water reserves and groundwater, making the water situation more and more fragile and complex.”
King Mohammed VI outlined a multi-faceted approach to tackling the water crisis, with a significant focus on desalination projects. He called for “urgent, innovative steps in order to avoid water shortages’ and insisted on the “optimal implementation of all components of the 2020-2027 National Program for the Supply of Drinking Water and Irrigation Water.”
The King stated that “by 2030, Morocco will cover more than half its drinking water needs thanks to these desalination plants.”
He recalled the Casablanca desalination plant, which will be “the largest of its kind in Africa, and the second worldwide to be 100% powered by clean energy,” as a pivotal project in this endeavor.
The King recommended accelerating the completion of “large-scale projects for inter-basin transfers,” which aim to retain “one billion cubic meters of water that is being lost to the sea.” This strategy also includes facilitating “a balanced distribution of national water resources across regions.”
Morocco’s green transition
King Mohammed VI stressed the importance of integrating clean energy into desalination projects.
“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 urged.
The King called for the development of a “national water desalination industry” and advocated for training specialized engineers and technicians to support these initiatives.
He encouraged the creation of “Moroccan companies specialized in the construction and maintenance of desalination plants,” indicating a push for local expertise and job creation.