OCP Accelerates in Desalination: 410 Million m³ of Water Annually
Moroccan Government Approves Water Desalination Companies to Boost National Water Sovereignty
The Moroccan government has authorized Water Green OCP, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, to establish two companies dedicated to seawater desalination and its transportation. These two entities will have a combined capacity of 410 million cubic meters per year, as part of a strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s water sovereignty and securing water supply for industrial activities, communities, and the agricultural sector.
The decree n°2.26.547, signed on July 23, 2026, by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, outlines the establishment of these specialized subsidiaries. The first will serve the central region, encompassing Safi, Benguerir, Youssoufia, and Marrakech, with a desalination capacity of 195 million cubic meters per year.
The second company will operate in the northern zone, which includes Jorf Lasfar, El Jadida, Casablanca, and Khouribga, boasting a capacity of 215 million cubic meters per year.
This initiative aligns with the OCP Group’s strategy to meet its industrial water needs by developing alternative water resources. The desalination infrastructure will also contribute to providing drinking water to the local populations in the targeted areas and supply water for irrigation purposes.
The two companies will be tasked with producing, transporting, and distributing desalinated water to urban, industrial, and agricultural users, utilizing modern infrastructure powered by renewable energy sources.
According to the goals outlined in the decree, the creation of these subsidiaries aims to structure assets related to desalination and water transport activities within specialized and independent companies. This organization is expected to enhance governance, financial transparency, and the effectiveness of funding mechanisms, particularly through structured financing arrangements.
The initiative will also encourage the establishment of strategic partnerships with public stakeholders and private investors, aiming to mobilize additional resources for the development of water infrastructure.
The operation falls within the contractual framework established with the state, contributing to Morocco’s ambition for water sovereignty. It aligns with state shareholding policies, notably regarding the development of public-private partnerships in infrastructure and the convergence of projects undertaken by public institutions and enterprises.
Through this new organization, the aim is to align desalination production capacities with the needs of specific regions while promoting more sustainable management of water resources.
An Institutional Process Set in Motion Since 2025
This decision follows several institutional steps. The OCP Group’s Board of Directors approved the operation during its meeting on March 11, 2025, and the Board of Water Green OCP subsequently gave its approval on February 11, 2026.
The decree was issued after consultations with the National Agency for the Strategic Management of State Holdings and the oversight of public institutions and enterprises, based on a proposal from the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah.
The authorization granted to Water Green OCP is valid for one year from the publication of the decree in the Official Bulletin.
Desalination at the Heart of Water Strategy
With a combined capacity of 410 million cubic meters per year, the two upcoming companies represent a significant advancement in the development of unconventional water resources in Morocco.
This project will enhance water supply to several major industrial and urban hubs while paving the way for increased mobilization of desalinated resources across various sectors.
Beyond the establishment of two new subsidiaries, this operation reflects a commitment to sustainably structure desalination and water transport activities, integrating investments, new infrastructure, renewable energy, and financing mechanisms with the ultimate goal of reinforcing the Kingdom’s water sovereignty.
