After several years of importing reverse osmosis membranes from abroad for use in Algerian seawater desalination, the North African country is planning to break with this practice by producing these materials locally, with a view to reducing import costs.
Algeria could soon become one of the first African countries to manufacture locally the reverse osmosis membranes commonly used by seawater desalination plants in Africa, based on the principle of salt-water separation using a semi-permeable membrane. Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, recently unveiled the project during the parliamentary day on “Seawater desalination as a strategic option for the State… achievements and challenges”, as well as the steps taken by the Algerian Energy Company (AEC), a subsidiary of Sonatrach, to approach international companies specialising in the manufacture and production of inputs and equipment for desalination plants.
One of these groups is the German company Port Energy Logistic (PEL), which specialises in the manufacture of semi-permeable membranes. In March 2024, the AEC signed a memorandum of understanding with PEL for the local manufacture of desalination membranes. While reverse osmosis membranes are suitable for treating water with fewer suspended substances, they are also better suited to the need to save energy and protect the environment.
Stimulating the local desalination industry
This initiative is part of AEC’s ongoing efforts, in line with the guidelines set by the public authorities, to strengthen the country’s water security, while securing supplies to its membrane desalination plants. The import bill will also be reduced. Although Algeria currently has 14 desalination plants, they are all equipped with membranes imported from abroad.
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Local production should put an end to this circuit and make these materials more accessible. This new policy will also stimulate local industry in the desalination sector and create jobs. Over the next few years, more and more seawater desalination plants are expected to be built in this North African country, which relies heavily on this technology to combat drought.
The aim is to cover 60% of Algeria’s drinking water needs from seawater desalination by 2030, compared with 42% at present.
Inès Magoum
