Tests for Agadir desalination plant in Morocco completed

Contractual tests for the Agadir desalination plant in Morocco have been completed. Spanish company Abengoa made the announcement and said the achievement marks a start of a new stage.

Built under a public-private partnership (PPP), the plant supplies water to Agadir and to irrigation systems in the Chtouka plain. The reverse osmosis plant, has been operational in Morocco since the beginning of the year.

In accordance with the PPP signed with the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests, the desalinated seawater is divided between the needs of the population of Greater Agadir (150,000 m3 per day) and the irrigation (125,000 m3) of thousands of hectares of agricultural land. These plantations are located in the Chtouka plain, a large market gardening area.

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Agadir desalination plant

Abengoa’s specifications, drawn up in 2017, also included the construction of an irrigation network for an area of 15,000 hectares. According to the company headed by Joaquín Fernández de Piérola Marín, the capacity of its Agadir plant is expandable to 400,000 m3 per day. This is an important factor in view of the current needs of Morocco, which is affected by water stress.

“Abengoa has completed the commissioning work on schedule, thanks to the efforts, dedication and professionalism of the project team, which has been able to meet and overcome major challenges, such as those related to the Covid-19 pandemic, among others. More than 2.4 million working hours have been completed without any accidents resulting in sick leave, thus achieving the highest levels of occupational risk prevention standards and compliance with the established health and safety objectives”, said the Seville, Spain-based company.

The company will operate it for 30 years in order to make the facility profitable. Its construction required an investment of 4.41 billion Moroccan dirhams, more than 418 million euros. Abengoa financed the project with its local partner InfraMaroc, an investment fund launched by CDG Capital and supported by the Caisse de dépôt et de gestion (CDG) of Morocco.