Spanish Public Funding of Acciona's Moroccan Desalination Project Under Corruption Scrutiny
Spain's public funding of Acciona's major Moroccan desalination project faces ethical concerns amid a linked corruption investigation.
- • Spanish government allocated nearly €340 million to Acciona's desalination plant in Casablanca.
- • Project aims to supply potable water to almost seven million residents and aid agriculture.
- • Investigation links Acciona to the 'Cerdán' corruption case involving Moroccan officials.
- • Ministry of Economy maintains support for the project despite ethical concerns.
- • No criminal charges against Acciona yet, but scrutiny of business practices increases.
Key details
The Spanish government has allocated nearly €340 million in public funds to support Acciona's participation in Africa's largest desalination plant located in Casablanca, Morocco. This infrastructure project, valued at around €800 million, aims to produce 548,000 cubic meters of potable water daily, serving close to seven million people and supporting agricultural irrigation in the region.
However, the project has come under scrutiny due to its connection with the 'Cerdán' corruption investigation. The Central Operational Unit's report has linked Acciona's operations to this case, which involves alleged irregularities and potential conflicts of interest implicating Moroccan officials such as Aziz Ajanuch. While no criminal responsibility has been assigned to Acciona yet, the ongoing investigation raises ethical concerns over public funding and the transparency of awarding contracts in such international ventures.
Despite these challenges, the Spanish Ministry of Economy continues to reaffirm its backing of the project, emphasizing its significance for boosting economic cooperation between Spain and Morocco—Spain's largest trading partner. The construction of the desalination plant forms part of larger efforts to improve regional water infrastructure, yet the shadow of the corruption probe calls for heightened scrutiny regarding the involvement of Spanish companies abroad and the governance of public investments.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.