The Algerian Energy Company plans to break ground on six solar-powered seawater desalination plants next year, Director General Mohamed Boutaba told Al Sharq Business last Thursday. The plants will boast a production capacity of 1.8 mn cubic meters a day, according to the outlet. The use of solar energy to power the plants will reduce the costs of operation by around 30%. The plants are set to become operational between 2027 and 2028.

What we know: Once all plants are operational — in addition to another five currently being built with a capacity of 1.5 mn cubic meters per day set to launch in December — Algeria’s water production capacity is expected to rise to 5.4 mn cubic meters per day in 2028 to meet 60% of the country’s drinking water needs at subsidized prices, Boutaba added. The country has invested USD 4.5 bn in its desalination sector to address water scarcity.

Algeria’s answer to the water crisis: Climate change induced droughts are leading to a water crisis in Algeria, and water demand is set to increase to 12.9 bn cubic meters by 2030 as the population grows.

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