Rabat – Gonzalo Meschengieser, President of the Argentine Chamber of Water (CAA), has lauded Morocco’s advanced seawater desalination techniques as a vital remedy for addressing water scarcity.
He has urged for a stronger partnership between Argentina and Morocco to leverage these innovative solutions and tackle water challenges more effectively.
“Morocco has a level of experience in desalination that Argentina lacks,” Meschengieser stated to the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
He stressed Morocco’s ambitious goal to construct 20 desalination plants by 2030, with the Casablanca facility standing out for its scale and cutting-edge technology.
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Earlier this year, Morocco’s Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurated the construction of the Casablanca seawater desalination plant, set to be the largest of its kind in Africa.
With a projected annual production capacity of 300 million cubic meters, the plant aims to serve approximately 7.5 million people.
This initiative is a key component of the Water Supply Axis within the 2020-2027 National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation, launched by the King in 2020, and which overall project cost is expected to reach 143 billion ($14.3 billion).
Meschengieser also emphasized Morocco’s objective to generate approximately 1.7 billion cubic meters of water annually from these desalination plants, stressing the significance of the National Drinking Water and Irrigation Program for 2020-2027.
“There is tremendous potential for Argentina and Morocco to collaborate in this area,” he added.
The expert also recognized Morocco’s role in water diplomacy, pointing out that Morocco could offer valuable insights into reverse osmosis desalination and renewable energy use.
Reflecting on Argentina’s expertise in managing water basins and creating master plans, Meschengieser concluded that both countries have much to gain from cooperation in water management. He also noted that Argentina faces challenges with high energy costs in its desalination efforts.
In a speech marking the 25th anniversary of his reign, King Mohammed VI highlighted the critical issue of water scarcity in Morocco. He stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions and enhanced governance to address the country’s water crisis effectively.
The King also emphasized the importance of regularly updating national water policies to guarantee access to drinking water for all citizens and to meet at least 80% of irrigation needs.
“In line with our proactive and ambitious Strategic Vision, we advocate for the expedited implementation of major water transfer projects,” he declared.
