Morocco has announced an ambitious plan to construct 42 large dams by 2050 as part of its strategy to secure water resources in the face of increasing drought and climate change. The initiative, reported by Moroccan media in early June 2026, aims to boost the country's water storage capacity significantly.
According to the Ministry of Equipment and Water, Morocco currently operates over 150 large dams with a total storage capacity of approximately 17.6 billion cubic meters. The new dams are expected to add several billion cubic meters of storage, helping to mitigate the impacts of recurrent droughts that have plagued the region.
The plan aligns with Morocco's National Water Strategy 2050, which focuses on integrated water resource management, including desalination, wastewater reuse, and dam construction. The government has allocated substantial funding for these projects, though exact figures were not specified in the announcement.
Climate experts note that Morocco is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, with annual renewable water resources per capita falling below the absolute scarcity threshold of 500 cubic meters. The dam-building program is seen as a critical component of the country's adaptation to climate change.
