The National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) announced a few days ago the pre-qualification of six consortia, within the framework of the call for tenders intended for the construction of the future desalination plant in Casablanca. According to several media sources, these files were received by ONEE last March, while the award of the contract estimated at more than 800 million euros is expected by next year.
The same sources announce that four Spanish companies are part of three groups. It is first of all the company Abengoa, the first to declare itself a candidate, with its partner, the French Engie. The other Spanish company Acciona has opted for a partnership with Afriquia Gaz and Green of Africa, two subsidiaries of the Akwa group, while Lantania, which will build the new wastewater treatment plant in Salé, and Tedagua are part of a consortium with the Saudi Acwa Power, Sepco III and the Moroccan Fipar Power Holding.
In addition to these three consortia, the construction of the future station in the white capital is coveted by Nareva, a subsidiary of the Al Mada group, which is allied with Suez, the CIMR and the Japanese Itochu. In addition, the Moroccans Somagec and SGTM will team up with the Israeli company IDE Technologie and the Japanese Mitsui. Finally, the French Veolia has chosen to team up with the Emirati group Taqa.
The future desalination plant will have a capacity of 548,000 m3 per day, which can reach 822,000 m3 per day. The megaproject should make it possible to strengthen and secure the drinking water supply for part of the Casablanca-Settat region, while supplying desalinated water on behalf of another operator in order to serve the needs of irrigation of a perimeter of 5,000 ha.