In a recent statement, the Director-General of the Algerian Energy Company, Mohammed Boutba, unveiled plans to establish mobile local desalination stations. This initiative aims to swiftly address the pressing need for drinking water in small residential communities and the agricultural sector through strategic partnerships.
Algerian Energy Company reveals plans for mobile desalination stations to meet urgent water needs in small communities and agriculture. Learn about the strategy and partnerships involved in this critical initiative.
Boutba emphasized the company’s dedication to formulating a strategy and selecting partners to create mobile water desalination stations. These stations will cater to the water requirements of small residential complexes and agricultural areas, providing both drinking water and water specifically for farming purposes.
As a first step, the project will be launched as a small-scale partnership, with subsequent integration of components up to 40% by 2025, as stated by Boutba. Each mobile station is projected to produce between 2,500 to 2,700 cubic meters daily, customized according to demand and distributed nationwide.
The company also aims to enhance local production capabilities for facilities dedicated to seawater desalination. All consumables for these stations will be manufactured within Algeria, a crucial step in achieving self-sufficiency.
Boutba emphasized the necessity of manufacturing complete filtration systems within Algeria, noting that this ongoing project will materialize in the short term.
Regarding the progress of the five desalination station projects assigned to the company in coastal regions (Oran, Tipaza, Boumerdes, Bejaia, and El Tarf), Boutba assured that the construction works are currently underway, and they are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
These desalination projects, part of the complementary program initiated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aim to produce 1.5 million cubic meters per day, raising the overall desalination capacity to 3.6 million cubic meters daily by December 2024.
Desalination of seawater is identified as a fundamental solution to address water stress. Boutba highlighted that once these five stations are operational, they will secure 42% of the national drinking water needs, compared to the current 18-20%.
The financial allocation for constructing these five desalination stations is estimated at 260 billion DZD, with the state committing significant investments, averaging 400 million dollars per station.
In addition, Boutba announced the upcoming launch of a sixth desalination station with a daily capacity of 120,000 cubic meters in Skikda province. This station, to be executed by a subsidiary of Sonatrach, aims to meet the demands of the Skikda refinery, Asmidal complex, and the local population. The contract for this project is expected to be signed in early 2024, with a defined completion timeline of 24 months.
Algerian desalination initiatives for water security and self-sufficiency. Learn about plans, partnerships, and progress in meeting national water needs.
Visit dzwatch.net for more updates on Algerian initiatives.
