Fouka 2 Desalination Plant in Tipaza to Halt Operations for Three Days
Image: Ennahar
Takeaway
The temporary shutdown highlights the importance of preventative maintenance in Algeria's critical water infrastructure. Energy companies and infrastructure funds should assess the operational risks and maintenance schedules of desalination plants when evaluating investments in the Algerian water sector. Consistent maintenance will ensure the long-term viability and profitability of these assets.
The Algerian Water Desalination Company, a subsidiary of Sonatrach, announced a temporary shutdown of the Fouka 2 seawater desalination plant in Tipaza, Algeria, starting Sunday, March 29, 2026. The interruption is scheduled to last for three days to allow for proactive maintenance work. The maintenance aims to ensure the equipment's optimal readiness, improve its performance, and prevent potential malfunctions, particularly with the approaching summer season.
Algeria has strategically prioritized desalination to bolster its water security, operating 17 large-scale plants along its Mediterranean coast with a combined capacity of roughly 3.8 million cubic meters per day. These plants now contribute approximately 42% of the nation's potable water supply. By 2030, Algeria aims to cover 60% of its drinking water needs through seawater desalination. The Fouka 2 plant, inaugurated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on February 22, 2025, was completed in a record 25 months. The plant has a production capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day and supplies drinking water to the wilayas of Tipaza, Algiers, and Blida.
Each of the five large-scale desalination plants, including Fouka 2, has a daily capacity of 300,000 m3, totaling 1.5 million m3. The Algerian Energy Company (AEC), a Sonatrach subsidiary, and Cosider Group constructed the Fouka 2 plant with 100% Algerian expertise. Approximately 80,000 m³ of water from the Fouka 2 plant is supplied daily to Blida. Algeria ranks second in the Mediterranean for desalinated water production, with a capacity of 631 million m3 per year.
The temporary shutdown of the Fouka 2 plant could potentially affect the water supply to the Tipaza, Algiers, and Blida regions, which rely on the plant's 300,000 cubic meters per day production. However, the proactive maintenance aims to minimize disruptions and ensure the plant's continued reliable operation. The Algerian Energy Company (AEC) oversees the operation of desalination plants and charges Algérienne Des Eaux, the state-owned water distribution entity, between DZD 52 to DZD 100 (~$0.39 to ~$0.76) per cubic meter.
Investors and consumers should monitor the duration of the shutdown and any potential impact on water supply in the affected regions. The completion of maintenance is scheduled for March 31, 2026, after which the plant is expected to resume normal operations. Further investments in desalination capacity are expected, with Algeria aiming to increase its output to 5.8 million m³/day by the end of the decade.