Egypt is advancing its ambitious initiative to construct desalination plants across 11 coastal governorates, aimed at securing water resources for its increasing population and facilitating urban growth in vital coastal areas.
Recently, Sayed Ismail, the Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, chaired a meeting to assess the progress of this strategic desalination project, which is projected to continue until 2050.
The initiative focuses on establishing desalination facilities along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, providing essential drinking water to the following governorates: Matrouh, Alexandria, Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, Dakahleya, North and South Sinai, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia, and the Red Sea.
During the meeting, representatives from the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater shared proposals and discussed the current status of land acquisition for the new plants, addressing regional challenges.
Ismail highlighted the significance of this strategic plan as a national priority, managed by the Egyptian cabinet and backed by the political leadership. The Ministry of Housing is collaborating with various state entities, including the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Suez Canal Authority, to meet water demands.
Moreover, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, through the Egypt Sovereign Fund, along with the Public-Private Partnership Unit of the Ministry of Finance, are conducting technical studies and tenders to engage both local and international firms for the project.
At the meeting’s conclusion, Ismail stressed the necessity for ongoing collaboration among state agencies to fulfill the requirements of the desalination plants. He also underscored the urgency of finalizing plans to ensure drinking water supply in partnership with relevant ministries, emphasizing the project’s critical role in Egypt’s broader water security strategy.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in addressing the country’s long-term water challenges and promoting sustainable development in its coastal regions.
Source :Zawya
