twitter Facebook Linkedin acp Contact Us

Abengoa passes all contractual tests for the Agadir desalination plant

The Agadir desalination plant is a benchmark project for Abengoa in the desalination sector worldwide, which will enable the production of 275,000 m3/day (150,000 m3/day of drinking water. (Image source: Abengoa)

Abengoa, an international company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainable development in the infrastructure, energy and water sectors, has successfully passed all contractual tests for the Agadir desalination plant, Morocco

It is the largest plant designed and conceived for combined use of drinking water and irrigation worldwide, with a capacity of 275,000 cu m per day and reverse osmosis technology.

This milestone marks the start of documents formalisation leading to the declaration of the commercial operation of the plant, which has been producing desalinated water meeting all quality standards since the beginning of the year and mitigating the effects of the water alarm suffered by the area. 

The Agadir desalination plant is a benchmark project for Abengoa in the desalination sector worldwide, with the possibility of expansion to 400,000 cu m per day. The project also includes the construction of an irrigation network for an area of 15,000 ha. 

This is a unique project for two clients: ONEE (Office National de l'Electricité et de l'Eau Potable) and the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, which was awarded the "Best Public-Private Partnership" prize by the International Desalination Association. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance over a 30-year period (including construction) of the Agadir desalination plant was awarded to Abengoa in 2017, with financial close having been obtained in June 2019. 

In its design, special consideration has been given to the energy efficiency of the process, without reducing the reliability and availability of the facilities. To this end, major effluent collection and discharge works have been carried out, an ultrafiltration pretreatment system has been implemented to adapt to the changing conditions of the raw water with great flexibility, and a turbine has been incorporated to capture energy from the effluent, taking advantage of the plant's height above sea level. 

Abengoa has completed the commissioning works on schedule, thanks to the effort, dedication, and professionalism of the project team, which has successfully faced and overcome important challenges, such as those derived from the Covid-19 pandemic, among others. More than 2.4 million working hours have been worked without accidents resulting in sick leave, achieving the highest levels of occupational risk prevention standards and complying with the established health and safety objectives. 

Abengoa, which incorporates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all its actions and in its business strategy, has paid special attention in this project to those related to ensuring health and well-being (Goal 3), ensuring the availability of water and its proper management (Goal 6), adopting measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change (Goal 13) and preserving the life of terrestrial ecosystems (Goal 15), among others. 

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Evolving concept of energy security must address energy demand, system flexibility, technology access and infrastructure development, says IRENA. (Image source: IRENA)

World Bank & African Development Bank partner to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, leveraging public-private investments. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

(L-R): Dr Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali and Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa and co-head group processing, Network International. (Image source: Network International)

At WFES, Gotion High-tech will showcase its latest products and leading green energy solutions at its booth. (Image source: Gotion High-tech)

The new Perkins 5012 is a full-authority electronic engine optimised and purpose-built for power generation applications. (Image source: Perkins)

SSAB will begin deliveries of the new products in 2026.

The key issues restricting sub-Saharan Africa’s manufacturing sector will be unpacked at Manufacturing Indaba later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Through the innovative solution, each vessel can fill two tank containers on average between two ports. (Image source: Maersk)

Hyphen is developing sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, most advanced and only fully-vertical integrated green hydrogen project. (Image source: Hyphen)

According to Liebherr, the Used Equipment Marketplace is extremely user-friendly. (Image source: Liebherr)

Electricity storage will be pivotal in unlocking renewable projects and meeting energy demand. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With RFID, assets can be given unique digital identities that enable users to identify and locate them all at once, from a distance, in real time. (Image source: Brady)

Africa Data Centres and DPA SA have broken ground on their solar farm in the Free State. (Image source: Africa Data Centres)

A Cat PM310 Cold Planer in action. (Image source: Caterpillar)

A larger stockholding of WEG products facilitates ready access for customers. (Image source: WEG Africa)