Rabat: The agreements, sealed under a declaration signed by HM King Mohammed VI and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in December 2023, cover critical projects in desalination, electricity generation and transmission, and water transfer systems. The program aims to address Morocco’s pressing water scarcity and energy demands, while advancing the country’s long-term goals of energy independence and climate resilience.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the proposed investments include the construction of a pipeline between the Sebou and Oum Rabia basins with an annual capacity of 800 million cubic meters to mitigate regional water stress. Additionally, there will be the development of seawater desalination plants powered entirely by renewable energy, totaling 900 million cubic meters per year, with target costs capped at MAD 4.5/m³ (excluding VAT).
The program also includes the establishment of a 1,400-km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line linking southern and central Morocco, wit
h a capacity of 3,000 MW, to facilitate renewable energy distribution. Furthermore, there will be the deployment of 1,200 MW in new green electricity capacity and the construction of a 1,500 MW combined-cycle natural gas power plant at the Tahaddart site to support grid stability.
Each project will be governed by individual development agreements between ONEE and the consortium. The first such agreement, covering the Tahaddart power plant, has already been finalized. The consortium will lead the structuring and mobilization of financing, drawing from both domestic and international lenders, with a timeline targeting phased completion by 2030, subject to regulatory approvals.
The initiative is expected to generate over 25,000 jobs, with 10,000 of them being permanent positions, and foster a local industrial base in desalination and renewable technologies. It also aims to spur workforce training and technology transfer. Framed as a transformational public-private partnership, the program underscores Morocco’s
ambition to secure critical resources, attract foreign investment, and position itself as a regional leader in sustainable infrastructure.