Morocco and UAE Sign Historic $14 Billion Agreement to Revolutionize Water and Energy Infrastructure by 2030
Doha, the Gulf Observer: In a landmark moment for Morocco’s economic and strategic development, the Kingdom has signed its largest-ever private investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), amounting to an unprecedented $14 billion (MAD 130 billion). The deal promises to transform Morocco’s water and energy sectors while reshaping its national infrastructure through to 2030.
The agreement, finalized in Doha, was signed between the Government of Morocco, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), and a consortium comprising the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, TAQA Morocco (a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Group), and Nareva, the energy subsidiary of Al Mada.
This monumental partnership includes the development of a 1,400-kilometer high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity transmission corridor from Dakhla to Casablanca and the construction of state-of-the-art seawater desalination facilities across the Kingdom. The desalination plants will collectively produce 900 million cubic meters of water annually, entirely powered by renewable energy, and will serve key regions including Tangier, Nador, Tiznit, and either Tan-Tan or Guelmim.
In parallel, Morocco’s energy network will be fortified through 1,200 megawatts of new renewable capacity and a quadrupling of output at the Tahaddart gas-fired power station, reinforcing the country’s push for energy sovereignty.
This initiative is expected to generate over 25,000 jobs, including 10,000 permanent positions, and significantly advance local industrial, educational, and technological capabilities.
The historic agreement follows two major visits by King Mohammed VI to Abu Dhabi, reinforcing deepening strategic ties between Morocco and the UAE. It also aligns with Morocco’s long-term sustainability goals to achieve 52% renewable energy by 2030 and to secure nationwide water stability in the face of increasing scarcity.
TAQA, Nareva, and the Mohammed VI Investment Fund will lead the phased implementation of the projects, with the first development agreements already signed, including the expansion of the Tahaddart facility.
This partnership not only marks a new chapter in Moroccan-Emirati relations but also sets a new precedent for regional cooperation in sustainable infrastructure, showcasing a shared vision for prosperity, resilience, and innovation across the Global South.
