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A major water and energy infrastructure project is advancing in Morocco, as the second phase of the Agadir desalination plant moves forward with the support of AMEA Power.

The facility, set to become one of the largest of its kind in Africa, will be powered by a 150 MW wind farm in Laayoune, developed by the renewable energy company.

Once complete, the expanded plant will reach a daily capacity of 400,000 m³, significantly increasing clean water supply for the region.

The first phase of the plant was developed and is currently owned by Spanish company Cox, known for its global expertise in water and energy management.

In the second phase, AMEA Power is entering the project as a joint venture partner, supplying renewable energy and helping to scale up the plant’s operations.

This marks AMEA Power’s first desalination project in North Africa and represents the inaugural development under its new strategic partnership with Cox, which was formalised in May 2025.

The joint venture is designed to promote integrated infrastructure solutions that combine clean energy and water supply, addressing two of the most pressing sustainability challenges in the region.

The investment required for the expansion and associated wind energy development is expected to exceed €250 million.

Sustainability component

Construction of the desalination facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, while the wind farm is set to come online in 2027.

The move underscores AMEA Power’s long-term commitment to Morocco, one of the company’s core markets.

Several renewable energy projects are already underway across the country, positioning the company as a key player in helping Morocco meet its ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, water security, and sustainable development.

By pairing desalination with renewable energy, the project also demonstrates how large-scale infrastructure in North Africa can decouple water supply from fossil fuels.

It reflects a growing trend across the region to power essential utilities with clean sources, reducing carbon footprints while improving resilience against climate stressors.

With water scarcity an increasing concern across North Africa, the Agadir project is expected to serve as a model for similar developments elsewhere, where the integration of clean energy with water infrastructure becomes essential for future-proofing vital resources.

Hussain Al Nowais, chairman of AMEA Power, said, "Our entry into the second phase of the Agadir desalination project in Morocco, under the Water Alliance Ventures platform, reflects AMEA Power’s ambition to address both water and energy challenges through integrated solutions. This project is not only our first entry into the water sector in North Africa – it is also a powerful example of what long-term partnerships can achieve for sustainable development across the region”.  

In an interview with Bentley Systems, the company's sales director Slavco Velickov explained the role of AI in water management. Read on: 

What role does AI play in water management solutions?

Slavco Velickov: In arid regions like the Middle East, where water is a critical resource, AI empowers stakeholders to make faster, data-driven decisions that ensure reliability, reduce waste, and support long-term sustainability goals. Bentley Systems has focused on software for infrastructure engineering and operations for more than four decades.

Our approach to AI has been one of continuously embedding advanced intelligence within our water infrastructure solutions. We've been using algorithms to power complex simulations, analyses, and design optimisations for many years. AI represents the next wave of these capabilities, making our tools more intuitive and powerful. It's important to clarify that we see AI as an enabler for our digital twin solutions.

This is crucial because, globally, we're facing a significant challenge: demand for resilient infrastructure is surging, but there aren't enough engineers to manage the overwhelming amount of data generated. AI helps offset those tedious tasks, allowing engineers to focus on higher added-value activities and get better control of their data. We are investing in its potential across various areas, from asset operations to even using generative AI in the design phase, like in our OpenSite+ application.

Why should utility/power companies use AI-based solutions?

Slavco Velickov: Firstly, and perhaps most critically in many regions, is the reduction of non-revenue water, or water losses.

This remains a hot topic globally. Instead of having to build new infrastructure or production facilities, reducing losses in the existing network is a far more sustainable approach and a key driver for adopting technologies like AI for precise leak detection, including geolocation and optimal pressure management. Secondly, there's the significant challenge of productivity and due to the wave of retiring workforce in the sector.

Utilities hold decades of operational knowledge within their experienced personnel. AI-powered digital twins can capture this invaluable tacit knowledge: from understanding complex operational rules to predicting network behaviour, essentially augmenting the capabilities of the remaining and incoming workforce to manage increasing data volumes and systems complexity.

Implementing AI solutions can lead to substantial cost reductions over time. By minimising water losses and optimising operational processes, utilities can lower their operational expenses. 

^{Slavco Velickov, sales director, Bentley Systems}

What are the best ways to use AI in water sector?

Slavco Velickov: The most impactful AI use cases in the water sector today are focused on improving operational efficiency and system resilience.

Key areas include demand forecasting, which is crucial for optimising supply (treatment) and demand; predictive maintenance for critical assets, allowing utilities to anticipate failures before they happen; event detection and leakage detection and localisation, enabling rapid response to reduce water loss and service disruptions; and pumping optimisation and energy efficiency where AI can analyse complex system dynamics to minimise energy consumption representing significant operational costs.

What's powerful is that AI can provide valuable predictive insights in these areas even in situations where a full, calibrated simulation model such as Bentley OpenFlows might not be available, working directly with sensor and historical data to identify trends and predict potential issues.

Share with us an example of successful city water management.

Slavco Velickov: Bentley software is also used to manage water networks in the Middle East, including in Sharjah, to prevent water losses which exacerbate the effects of drought in dry arid climates.

Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) used Bentley’s OpenFlows Water software to help actively manage its water network, model water supply patterns, plan maintenance, ultimately reducing water leakage in the 3,400 km urban water distribution network.

This initiative was part of an AED 1.25 million programme led by SEWA, which aimed to identify leaks and high pressure in ageing areas of the network.

Additionally, Bentley software has been used by The Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) in Ras Al Khaimah on their AED 24.75 million project which sought to build a new water transmission and distribution network, providing potable water service to more than 20,000 people living in the six villages of Wadi Shaam.

The network had to cross difficult terrain. Using Bentley advanced technology allowed FEWA to analyse the data and optimise the models, given the physical constraints. FEWA completed the design one month in advance, reduced pipe lengths by 20%, and saved AED 500,000.

^{Leveraging iTwin and OpenFlows with AI and machine learning, PUB developed their high-fidelity digital twin for leak detection. (Image source: PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency)}

How important is it to have transparent data and AI solutions that can benefit software engineering applications in the long run?

Slavco Velickov: We operate under three key principles for Generative AI: Control—users retain full control over their data and decide if, when, and how it's used, exclusively for their benefit. Contribute—users can choose to contribute anonymised data for collective AI model training if they wish, but it's their choice. Trust—we are transparent about how we create our AI models and how we source the data used to train them.

Our iTwin platform is designed to be open and interoperable, enabling users to bring together data from various sources without being locked in.

That ensures connecting people and data. Our open data ecosystem approach is crucial for transparency and ensuring the user has full visibility and control. We also invest heavily in cybersecurity to safeguard that data, recognising that the integrity of the digital infrastructure is as important as the physical.

For example, in our AI-powered digital twin applications, anomaly detection models are paired with visualisation and contextual data so that users can understand why an alert was triggered and how it was derived from the data. 

With a robust fleet of Volvo machines provided and supported by Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO), MAR Marine & Building Contracting is taking on technically demanding marine and civil construction projects across the Middle East and Africa, delivering efficiency and minimising downtime

Founded in 2018, MAR Marine & Building Contracting has rapidly established itself as a regional leader in marine and civil infrastructure. Headquartered in both the UAE and Lebanon, with projects spanning multiple countries, MAR has completed more than 200 contracts for over 340 clients, an impressive feat for a relatively new player.

Central to MAR’s success is its focus on quality, timely project delivery and customer satisfaction. The company operates across a wide scope: marine works, steel structures, civil construction, dredging, and sea pipeline installations, serving both public and private clients. Each project poses its own set of challenges, especially in harsh coastal settings where machinery must be both durable and reliable.

Engineering excellence in tough marine conditions

Marine and coastal construction is one of the most complex sectors in the industry, requiring resilience against environmental variables such as saltwater corrosion, fluctuating tides and tight regulatory requirements. To meet these challenges, MAR has invested in more than 40 crawler excavators and articulated haulers from Volvo Construction Equipment.

The Volvo machines have become vital assets in operations such as breakwater construction and sand backfilling. Their corrosion-resistant materials, sealed electrical systems and protected hydraulic components are well suited to marine environments. According to MAR, Volvo’s reputation for robust engineering and performance has been instrumental in their ability to deliver on time.

Partnership rooted in trust

FAMCO, Volvo CE’s long-standing dealer in the UAE, supplies and services MAR’s fleet. This relationship is underpinned by shared values of reliability and service excellence.

“Today we take a moment to thank our trusted partner FAMCO for all their support,” said Marwan Nakhoul, project site engineer at MAR. “In our work, success depends on strong partnerships. FAMCO, together with Volvo Construction Equipment, has always been one of our most trusted partners.”

Nakhoul also pointed to how Volvo’s equipment delivers measurable benefits: “Thanks to the high quality of their machines, we’ve had less downtime and finished our work faster and more efficiently. Our partnership with FAMCO is a big reason for our success.”

Supporting growth across borders

As the demand for marine infrastructure grows across the Middle East and Africa, companies like MAR are playing a key role in driving economic development and coastal resilience. With FAMCO and Volvo CE as dependable partners, MAR is well equipped to expand its footprint, one marine project at a time.

Mining and investment ties between the UAE and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) gained significant momentum in 2025 with the signing of a series of strategic agreements.

As the world’s leading producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global output, as well as a major tin supplier and Africa’s top copper producer, the DRC is drawing growing interest from UAE investors looking to secure critical minerals for energy transition and high-tech industries.

With an estimated US$24 trillion in untapped mineral reserves, the DRC is seeking to attract long-term UAE investments to unlock greater value across its mining value chain. African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, one of the continent’s flagship mining events, is expected to provide a key platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation. It will be held in October. 

A dedicated Middle East-Africa Roundtable will convene high-level stakeholders, including UAE investors, DRC policymakers, and regional mining operators, to explore investment-ready projects and policy alignment.

Increased global demand for minerals central to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems has encouraged the UAE to expand its footprint in the DRC’s extractive industries. Recent investments signal a deeper commitment to supporting local beneficiation while securing reliable supply chains.

In July 2025, Congolese mining firm Buenassa entered a partnership with UAE-based NG9 Holding to establish the country’s first integrated copper-cobalt refinery.

Key Africa investments

The facility will produce 30,000 tonnes of copper cathodes and 5,000 tonnes of cobalt sulphate per year, supporting the DRC’s efforts to move up the value chain and capture more revenue from its mineral wealth.

A month earlier, Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holding (IRH) finalised a US$366mn deal to acquire a majority stake in Alphamin Resources, gaining access to the Bisie Tin Complex, one of the world’s largest and highest-grade tin deposits.

Tin from Bisie currently accounts for about 6% of global supply, and demand is projected to rise 20% by 2035. At AMW, IRH’s investment will feature in a panel discussion titled Cobalt Opportunity: DRC’s Strategic Position in the EV Revolution, aimed at connecting Gulf capital with African resources.

Beyond mining, UAE players are also investing in the DRC’s power infrastructure. NG9 Holding signed an agreement with local utility Kipay Energy to co-develop a 46 MW hydropower plant in Haut-Katanga, contributing to a planned 166 MW capacity.

These developments underscore how UAE-DRC cooperation is expanding across both mining and energy, with AMW 2025 expected to catalyse further deals and partnerships.

The UAE continues to strengthen its footprint in Africa’s mining industry, with a series of strategic investments aimed at boosting production, infrastructure, and energy security across key markets.

Just this February, investment fund Ambrosia Investment Holding acquired a 50% stake in Canadian company Allied Gold’s mining projects in Ethiopia and Mali.

The deal includes a US$375mn capital injection to accelerate project development, increasing gold output in Ethiopia by 290,000 ounces per year by mid-2026 and in Mali by 400,000 ounces per year by 2028.

Sales volumes of finished steel products rose by 24% year-on-year (YoY) to 1.616 million tonnes, driven by sustained construction activity and EMSTEEL’s solid market presence.

The group also reported a 21% YoY increase in cement and clinker sales, reaching 1.613 million tonnes.

Improved capacity utilisation allowed EMSTEEL to fully convert semi-finished products into finished goods to meet rising customer demand.

Despite a 4% YoY drop in average steel prices and a strategic decision to scale back sales of semi-finished products, EMSTEEL posted revenues of AED 4.3 billion for the period, up 9% compared to the first half of 2024.

EBITDA rose by 6% to AED 540 million, yielding a margin of 12.6%, only slightly lower than the 12.8% recorded in H1 2024. Margin pressure from lower steel prices was partially offset by improved production costs, enhanced plant utilisation, and ongoing operational optimisation.

Profit after tax reached AED 188 million, compared to AED 174 million during the same period last year.

The Emirates Steel division generated AED 3.9 billion in revenue and AED 449 million in EBITDA, while the Emirates Cement division recorded AED 428 million in revenue and AED 91 million in EBITDA.

Within this division, the Pipes & Other segment (which is currently in divestment) contributed AED 90 million in revenue and is classified as Assets Held for Sale.

As of 30 June 2025, EMSTEEL maintained a strong net cash position of AED 372 million, up from AED 337 million at the end of 2024.

For Q2 2025 alone, revenue increased by 18% and EBITDA by 27% YoY, benefitting from the same drivers as H1 and a favourable comparison to Q2 2024, when operations were disrupted by severe weather.

EMSTEEL also made progress on its strategic initiatives. It received a provisional “AA” ESG rating from MSCI, highlighting strong carbon reduction practices and workforce safety.

The company signed a partnership with Magsort to produce decarbonised cement using steel slag and introduced its first Green Finance Framework to support future low-carbon projects in steel and cement.

Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, group CEO of EMSTEEL, said, “Our strong H1 2025 performance underscores the resilience and adaptability of EMSTEEL in an evolving global market. The 9% growth in revenue and continued EBITDA strength reflect our strategic focus on value-added products, operational efficiency, and domestic market leadership. We are proud of our team’s ability to convert industry headwinds into opportunities for growth and innovation.”

He added, “As we advance our decarbonisation journey, the launch of our Green Finance Framework and our strategic partnership with Magsort mark important milestones in building a more sustainable, circular steel and cement ecosystem. With a solid financial foundation, strong ESG credentials, and a clear long-term vision, EMSTEEL remains well-positioned to deliver sustainable value to all stakeholders.”