Algerian Energy Company Receives First Shipment of Pumps for Major Seawater Desalination Plants

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | September 14th, 2024 — The Algerian Energy Company (AEC), a subsidiary of the Sonatrach Group, has taken delivery of its first shipment of pumps, crucial for the operation of four large-scale seawater desalination plants. The pumps, arriving from Japan, were received on Friday at Houari Boumediene International Airport. This delivery marks a significant step in the national program to enhance Algeria’s water security through desalination technology.

The four plants—Cap Djenet (Boumerdès), El Taref, Bejaia, and Fouka (Tipaza)—are part of a broader initiative under Algeria’s complementary national program for water security. This program, which includes the construction of five major seawater desalination stations, aims to produce a staggering 1.5 million cubic meters of water per day. The program, approved by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, also encompasses the existing plant in Oran, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring water access across the country.

The delivery of these high-tech pumps is a critical milestone in the completion of the desalination stations, which are currently in their final construction stages. The entire import process, scheduled to continue until September 26, 2024, is part of a fast-tracked plan to meet Algeria’s growing water needs. According to Lotfi Zenadi, CEO of AEC, this operation will involve ten flights to bring in the necessary equipment, accelerating the final phase of the project.

Zenadi further explained that opting for air freight, instead of the more time-consuming maritime shipping, was essential to meeting the tight deadlines. This airlift strategy significantly reduces delivery time, ensuring the equipment arrives within days rather than months. The pumps, which are equipped with energy recovery devices, will play a key role in the efficient operation of the desalination plants.

These efforts reflect the strong commitment of the Algerian government and Sonatrach to complete the desalination projects on schedule. Coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mines has been pivotal in overcoming logistical challenges, demonstrating the state’s determination to secure the country’s water future.

Tarek Nouizi, CEO of the Algerian Industrial Projects Company (Entreprise Algérienne de Réalisation de Projets Industriels), stated that the arrival of these critical components paves the way for the launch of potable water supply from the four plants by the end of the year. Nouizi emphasized the importance of these desalination plants in alleviating Algeria’s water shortages, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing demand.

According to Mammeri Benyoucef, CEO of the National Company for Large Petroleum Works (Entreprise Nationale des Grands Travaux Pétroliers), the construction of the five major desalination stations has reached 75% completion. The ambitious project has enlisted the expertise of several major Algerian companies, including the National Pipeline Company (Entreprise Nationale de Canalisations) and COSIDER Canalisations, part of the COSIDER Group, which are all working in tandem to complete the construction efforts.

With the successful delivery of these critical pumps, Algeria is set to make significant strides towards its goal of securing a reliable and sustainable water supply for its population, reinforcing the strategic importance of desalination in the country’s long-term water management strategy. The completion of these stations is expected to significantly enhance Algeria’s ability to meet the water demands of its coastal cities and ensure a steady supply in regions that have historically faced water shortages.

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