Morocco’s Balancing Act: Navigating Water Scarcity with Innovation
Morocco faces the complex challenge of balancing its growing water needs with the realities of a water-stressed environment. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, recently highlighted the country’s ambitious strategies and investments in water management at the second International Forum for Promoting Interlinkages between Water, Energy, Food Security and the Environment, held in Tangier. His remarks paint a picture of a nation proactively addressing water scarcity through a combination of infrastructure development, technological innovation, and policy reform.
Morocco has made significant strides in developing its water infrastructure. The country boasts an impressive network of 154 large dams, with a combined capacity of 20.7 billion cubic meters, supplemented by 150 smaller dams supporting local development. Seventeen water transfer facilities further optimize water allocation between basins. This infrastructure has been crucial in mitigating the impacts of severe droughts experienced across the country. Furthermore, 16 new large dams are currently under construction, demonstrating Morocco’s ongoing commitment to expanding its water storage capacity.
Recognizing the strategic importance of desalination in combating water scarcity, Morocco has invested heavily in this technology. With 16 desalination plants already operational and more planned, the country aims to produce 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water annually by 2030. This ambitious goal will help secure water supplies for major coastal cities like Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, and Dakhla, as well as inland cities like Marrakech, and support agricultural irrigation in regions like Souss-Massa and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab. This aligns with global trends, as desalination is increasingly seen as a vital tool for water-stressed regions, as highlighted by the International Desalination Association (https://idadesal.org/).
However, the agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the Moroccan economy, consumes over 85% of the country’s mobilized water resources. This underscores the urgent need for reforms to promote more efficient water use. Baraka emphasized the importance of implementing policies that incentivize water conservation, such as widespread adoption of modern irrigation techniques like drip irrigation, which can significantly reduce water consumption compared to traditional flood irrigation (as reported by the FAO: http://www.fao.org/3/x0262e/x0262e0b.htm). Reducing water loss in distribution networks, strengthening groundwater extraction monitoring, and guiding farmers towards crops better suited to arid and semi-arid conditions are also crucial steps.
Beyond infrastructure and conservation, Baraka stressed the need for investment in modernizing the agricultural sector. This includes promoting scientific and technological innovation, developing climate-resilient farming systems, and leveraging renewable energy to reduce production costs. The nexus between water, agriculture, and energy is key to navigating the challenges of climate change, ensuring food security, and minimizing the overexploitation of groundwater resources.
Morocco’s approach to water management is multifaceted, encompassing infrastructure development, technological innovation, and policy reform. By integrating these strategies, the country is working to ensure a sustainable water future for its citizens and economy, while serving as a potential model for other nations facing similar challenges in a world increasingly impacted by climate change. The continued development of hydropower capacity, with the Afourar pumped storage plant contributing 464 MW and the upcoming Abdelmoumen plant adding another 350 MW, further demonstrates Morocco’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions within its water management strategy. This integrated approach is crucial for long-term water security and resilience in the face of growing demands and a changing climate.
