OCP is building a renewables-powered water pipeline: International Finance Corporation (IFC) is extending a EUR 100 mn loan to Moroccan state-owned fertilizer and phosphate giant OCP Group to build a renewables-powered water pipeline aimed at tackling water scarcity and food insecurity in Africa, according to a statement (pdf) released on Friday. The loan will support the construction of a 219 km pipeline to transport desalinated water from OCP’s plants on the coast to its operations in Khouribga, Morocco.
What we know: The project aims to deliver 80 mn cubic meters of water annually, relieving pressure on local water sources and reducing water scarcity, the company said. Once completed, the pipeline will also boost agricultural productivity by supporting fertilizer production, farmers and households. It will be powered entirely by renewable energy by 2030.
Part of a bigger plan: This pipeline is part of OCP Group’s water program, managed by its subsidiary OCP Green Water, which aims to supply 100% non-conventional water to its operations by the end of 2024. By 2027, the company plans to invest USD 611 mn to produce 560 mn cubic meters of desalinated water and 60 mn cubic meters of treated wastewater annually
OCP 💚 sustainability: OCP Group secured a EUR 200 mn loan in June from the German Development Bank (KfW) to reduce water use and expand renewables production.
And it has other desalination projects in the pipeline: OCP Group received a total of USD 188 mn in loans for desalination and renewable energy storage projects from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and the Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund (CACF) back in February. The company is constructing three modular seawater desalinations plants with an annual capacity of 110 cubic meters.