FP043
The Saïss Water Conservation Project
The Saïss Water Conservation Project
Improving the climate resilience of agricultural systems in the Saïss Plain.
The resilience of the Saïss Plain is threatened by declining and unpredictable rainfall due to climate change, coupled with unsustainable groundwater use. Water scarcity is chronic, and demand is projected to increase in Morocco. 80% of abstracted water is used for agricultural purposes, so this water scarcity threatens agricultural production and rural livelihoods, with climate change being an important risk amplifier.
This project will switch the Saïss Plain from the use of highly unsustainable groundwater to sustainable surface water. A bulk water transfer scheme from the M’Dez dam to the Saïss Plain will be created, along with the preparation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to implement new irrigation networks. This critical infrastructure will facilitate the transfer of water from a river basin with a surplus of water to the Sebou-Saïss basin with a shortfall of water resources.
Community involvement in water governance will be promoted, together with improved awareness of climate resilience issues among end users of water services, and the promotion of best-practices, efficient irrigation techniques with a significant demonstration impact across sector and region.
The result will be increased efficiency of water use and services, promoting drip irrigation and modern water demand management methods, thus strengthening capacity for adaptation to climate change in the Sebou-Saïss basin.
The project has an estimated lifespan of 40 years.
Project timeline
Pipeline
24 Mar 2016 - 379 days
Concept note received
24 Mar 2016
Funding proposal received
21 Sep 2016
Cleared by GCF Secretariat
26 Sep 2016
Approved
06 Apr 2017 - 301 days
Approved by GCF Board
06 Apr 2017
Cleared by iTAP
06 Apr 2017
Legal opinion on AE's Internal Approval
17 Aug 2017
FAA executed
03 Nov 2017
Under implementation
31 Jan 2018 - 1,085 days so far
FAA effective
31 Jan 2018
Disbursement - USD 2,280,092
30 Jul 2018
Annual Performance Report
01 Mar 2019
Disbursement - USD 18,248,175
16 Oct 2019
Disbursement - USD 18,248,175
06 Jul 2020
28 Aug 2020
Completed
31 Jan 2023 - 742 days to go
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Financing
- Private sector
- Public sector
-
Size
- Micro
- Small
- Medium
- Large
GCF financing15% disbursed
Instrument | Amount |
---|---|
Grant | USD 38,892,944 |
Cofinancing
Cofinancer | Instrument | Amount |
---|---|---|
Co-Financing | Grant | USD 65,474,452 |
Co-Financing | Loan | USD 145,985,401 |
Co-Financing | Grant | USD 1,070,559 |
GCF Contacts
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Project complaints and grievances
GCF Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM)Phone +82 32 458 6157
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Integrity issues
GCF Independent Integrity Unity (IIU)Phone +82 32 458 6155
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Accredited Entity

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Associate Director, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change
One Exchange Square, London, United Kingdom
National Designated Authority
Ministry of Energy, Mining and Sustainable Development, Secretariat of State for Sustainable Development
Director of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Green Economy