Mott MacDonald has been appointed lender's technical advisor by the SEDA special purpose vehicle for the development of a desalination plant in the Moroccan city Agadir.

Existing infrastructure that currently supplies potable water to 900,000 inhabitants in Agadir, Inezgane and Aït Melloul is in need of upgrading. To address this, the Office National de Electricité et de l'Eau Potable has launched a MAD937 million (US$94.7 million) public-private partnership for the finance, design, construction, operation and maintenance the desalination plant.

Mott MacDonald will monitor the design and construction of the plant and analyse potential risks for the lender. The consultancy will also be responsible for reviewing administrative procedures, the development of studies, works progress and the handover process.

Abengoa is the responsible for the design, technology and construction of the plant, as well as its subsequent maintenance and operation for a 20 year period.

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised BMCE on financing for the project. The total investment is estimated at €82 million (US$111.5 million).

The facilities will be able to supply 100,000 m³ of drinking water every day to the inhabitants of Greater Agadir, contributing to the major development taking place in this region, especially in the tourism, agrifood and industrial sectors.

Philippe Auzet, Mott MacDonald's project director, said:

"The plant will require specific equipment for treating sea water and producing potable water, including pumps, membranes for reverse osmosis and transformers. The majority of this equipment is not available on the Moroccan market and will need to be imported from Europe and Asia."

Construction of the plant is due to be completed by the end of 2016.