Morocco and the UAE have signed a $14 billion investment deal – the largest in Moroccan history – aimed at transforming the country’s water and energy infrastructure by 2030.

The agreement, signed on May 20, outlines major infrastructure projects including a 1,400-km high-voltage transmission line, four desalination plants and a gas-fired power plant.

The transmission line will connect Daklha – in southern Morocco – to Casablanca, transmitting 3,000 MW of energy generated from 1,200 MW of new solar and wind capacity in the country’s southern provinces.

The four desalination plants – in Tanger (50 million m3/year), Nador (300 million m3/year), Tiznit (350 million m3/year) and Tan-Tan (100 million m3/year) – will collectively produce 900 million m3 of water annually. These facilities will run entirely on renewable energy.

The Tahaddart gas-fired power plant will also see a major upgrade, quadrupling its capacity to 1,500 MW through new combined-cycle units to stabilize Morocco’s growing renewable-powered grid.

The projects are expected to create over 25,000 jobs, including 10,000 permanent roles, and foster local expertise in desalination and renewable energy through education and training.

The project will be jointly financed and developed by a public-private consortium comprising the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, utility TAQA Morocco and energy company Nareva. TAQA Morocco and Nareva are expected to lead the project under the oversight of Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water.