On Thursday, February 20, 2025, Algeria opened the first of five planned seawater desalination stations, located in Cap-Blanc, Oran, in the northwest of the country. These plants are part of an emergency measure to mitigate the effects of drought, address the future impacts of the climate crisis, and resolve the pressing issue of potable water supply amid severe water stress. In this context, Algeria’s second-largest city, Oran, and the western region in general are more affected by water shortages than the rest of northern Algeria.
Oran already has two operational seawater desalination plants: the El Magtaa plant, inaugurated in 2012 with a capacity of 500,000 m³, and the smaller, older Kahrama station in Arzew, which produces 86,000 cubic meters per day.
With a capacity of 300,000 m³ per day, the new Cap-Blanc station is expected to supply drinking water to three million people across Oran and the surrounding provinces of Sidi Bel Abbès, Relizane, Mostaganem, Aïn Témouchent, and Mascara. Initially, it will produce 40,000 cubic meters before gradually reaching its full capacity.
The construction of the Cap-Blanc plant and the four additional stations was carried out by domestic companies, whereas in the past, Algeria relied on foreign firms. Located about 20 kilometers west of Oran, the Cap-Blanc station spans 15 hectares and consists of 12 industrial units. The $420 million project was handled by GCB, a subsidiary of Sonatrach. GCB reports that 30% of the equipment used in this project was locally sourced. However, significant logistical efforts were required, including procuring heavy transport vehicles and coordinating a total of 288 flights to import the remaining equipment from abroad, according to Sonatrach CEO Rachid Hachichi. The project involved 25 industrial firms, 70 subcontractors, and 20 consulting firms—all Algerian.
Algeria’s program to construct the five plants is expected to cost $2.4 billion, increasing the proportion of desalinated water in the country’s total water supply from 18% to 40%, ultimately providing water to 15 million people along the coast and up to 150 kilometers inland.
