Cox to Expand Agadir Desalination Plant in Morocco

Spanish firm Cox, a global leader in water and energy management, has strengthened its global position with the signing of the expansion of the Agadir desalination plant in Morocco, by an additional 125,000 cu. m. per day, which will add to the current 275,000 cu. m. per day.

The total planned investment for the expansion of the desalination plant and the wind facility exceeds $288.83 million between 2025 and 2027. The desalination plant expansion is expected to enter into operation between 2026 and 2027, while the wind facility will become operational in 2027.

The Agadir expansion comes after the recent strategic alliance with the UAE-based AMEA Power, one of the leading renewable energy companies in the Middle East, which holds a 3.76% stake in Cox. It was not clear whether Amea Power is directly involved in the project, but the company said last year that it had plans to invest at least $100 million in a desalination project in Morocco through Cox.

This joint venture will allow Cox to accelerate its growth in Africa and the Middle East, advancing its roadmap toward a managed water capacity of 2 million cu. m. per day.

This expansion will allow the plant, the largest dual-use plant in the world, to reach a total capacity of 400,000 cu. m. per day, supplying drinking water to two million people and providing irrigation water for 13,600 hectares of farmland, in one of the areas most affected by water stress.

With over 55 years of experience, Cox currently manages five water assets that is expected to surpass or will surpass 945,000 cu. m. per day, seven operational power generation projects, and three transmission line concessions.

The company is recognised as a leader in the water sector with more than 250 client certifications, over 20 international industry awards, and has delivered more than 8.3 million cu. m. per day of desalination and treatment capacity worldwide.

The signing of the expansion of the Agadir desalination plant strengthens Cox’s commitment to Morocco, a country where the company has been operating for more than 50 years, playing a key role as an investor, particularly in the water sector.

PPP in Agadir’s Expansion

The Agadir desalination plant is an international benchmark of public-private collaboration between Cox and Moroccan authorities, serving two strategic clients: ONEE (Office National de l’Électricité et de l’Eau Potable) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests. This model has been recognized by the International Desalination Association (IDA) as the best public-private partnership of the year.

In addition, Cox will accompany the desalination plant with a wind power facility of over 150 MW, under the “Energy Follows Water” model, thus reaffirming the company’s integrated and sustainable approach.

Enrique Riquelme, Executive Chairman of Cox, said that the expansion of Agadir represents a highly significant milestone for his company, reinforcing their commitment to Morocco and consolidating growth strategy in the water and energy sectors. The company will continue to advance with determination in fulfilling the commitments and providing essential resources where they are most needed.