OCP Group is setting up two new companies to run seawater desalination and water transport operations. The two companies will be created by OCP Green Water, a subsidiary of OCP Group. The approval will remain valid for one year from the date of publication.
One company will cover the central region, including Safi, Benguerir, Youssoufia and Marrakech. The other will cover the northern region, including Jorf Lasfar, El Jadida, Casablanca and Khouribga.
The two companies will have a combined desalination capacity of 410 million cubic metres a year.
The central region will account for 195 million cubic metres a year, while the northern region will have capacity of 215 million cubic metres.
OCP plans to use the water for its industrial operations and also supply drinking water to people in the areas covered by the projects. Some of the water will also be available for irrigation.
The new companies will manage desalination plants, pumping systems and major water pipelines as separate businesses. OCP says this structure will make it easier to manage the assets and arrange financing.
Where the water will go
The central region company will supply OCP’s phosphate operations in Benguerir and Youssoufia. It will also supply the group’s chemical complex in Safi and provide drinking water to nearby urban areas.
The northern company will supply the large industrial complex at Jorf Lasfar and the mining area around Khouribga. It will also provide drinking water to Greater Casablanca and El Jadida.
The two companies are part of a wider OCP plan to reach 560 million cubic metres of desalinated water capacity.
The plan also includes 60 million cubic metres of treated wastewater capacity.
OCP has allocated more than $611m to water production and transport infrastructure.
The projects include a 54.5km pipeline between Jorf Lasfar and the Daourate dam station, as well as a 200km pipeline connecting Jorf Lasfar to Khouribga.
The desalination plants will use reverse osmosis technology and energy-recovery systems to reduce electricity use.
The plants will run on 100% renewable energy from wind and solar farms developed under OCP’s $13bn Green Investment Programme.
Less pressure on water supplies
The projects are designed to reduce OCP’s use of conventional water sources such as rivers and groundwater.
That could free up more water for households, agriculture and other users at a time when water shortages remain a major problem.
The new companies will also allow OCP to work with public bodies and private investors on future water projects.
The group could use project finance, green bonds and public-private partnerships to fund the companies without putting the same level of debt on its main mining and fertiliser businesses.
The OCP Group Board of Directors approved the plan on 11 March 2025. The OCP Green Water Board approved it on 11 February 2026.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch issued the decree. It was countersigned by Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance.
Article 2 of the decree gives the finance minister responsibility for implementing the decision.
