To make up for the deficit in potable water, Algeria has decided to embark on a seawater desalination program. Ten desalination plants are already in operation in the country and the number of such plants is to increase to 43 by 2019 to meet national potable water needs and double the daily capacities which now reach 1.04 million m3.
Plans to build 33 plants by 2016
12 water desalination projects are to be achieved by 2008. Other projects of smaller desalination capacity are also being dealt with by the water company Algérienne des Eaux (ADE). The objective of the programme is to increase the water production capacity to 1,200,000 m3 per day by 2008. The desalination plants will be built under the BOO (Buy, Own, Operate) formula, which means that the private foreign investors in charge of the projects will be responsible for the plants’ building, ownership and operation for the period covering the consession granted by the Algerian authorities. 21 other desalination plants will be developed by 2016 on the state budget and operated by the Algérienne des Eaux company. Algeria will have in 2007 the biggest water desalination plant of Africa. Located in the district of Hamma, the plant will be the main potable water supplier of Algiers with a production of 200,000 m3 per day. The Hamma plant is part of a joint stock project amounting to 248 million dollars involving the American group IONICS (70%), Algerian Energy Company-AEC and ADE (30%). A world leader in water desalination, the American company IONICS will provide the equipment and ensure the operation and maintenance of the plant for a period of 25 years.