On March 28, 2025, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) launched a new seawater desalination plant in Sidi Ifni, as part of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI). This ambitious project aims to strengthen and secure the drinking water supply for Sidi Ifni and surrounding localities, covering several areas of the provinces of Sidi Ifni and Tiznit, including rural populations.
With a cost of nearly 320 million dirhams, this plant has an initial capacity of 8,640 m³ per day, with the potential to reach 17,280 m³ per day in the future. This capacity enhancement is accompanied by the construction of a 54 km supply pipeline, ensuring efficient distribution of desalinated water to local populations. The project is largely financed by a loan from the German Development Bank (KfW).
This plant uses reverse osmosis technology, one of the most effective methods for seawater desalination. Thanks to advanced energy recovery technologies, the production cost of a cubic meter of desalinated water is optimized, making this solution more cost-effective in the long term.
The impact of the project is significant. It will ensure a reliable drinking water supply for approximately 85,000 inhabitants while reducing dependence on the Youssef Ben Tachfine dam, which has so far been a key resource for this region. This project will also contribute to improving the living conditions of residents and promote the socio-economic and tourism development of the area.
This is not an isolated case. ONEE has multiplied structural projects in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region to meet the growing demand for drinking water and sanitation services. Over the past fifteen years, nearly 900 million dirhams have been invested in these areas. By 2027, an additional investment of 2.4 billion dirhams is planned to continue strengthening the drinking water supply in the region, a major commitment for the future of this part of Morocco.