Renewables gain ground in water desalination

November 20, 2025

Dear subscriber,

Water security is becoming one of the defining issues of our time. Cities of the future will rise or stumble on their ability to secure wet stuff. Climate change is pushing us to draw from salty sources, requiring desalination, though it consumes a great deal of energy. Renewables offer a way to bring costs down and make it a reliable option.

– Sammy Jamar, Editor

A new report from Renub Research says Morocco’s desalination market will more than double to about $850 million by 2033. This growth is expected to increase demand for renewables projects as the country expands its use of solar and wind to power new desalination plants, cutting costs and easing the sector’s heavy energy load.

  • Climate stress and shrinking water reserves are driving countries toward desalinating water from lakes, seas and underground sources. Since it is energy-intensive, using renewables helps cut costs and reduce grid strain.

  • North African countries are leading this shift. Morocco aims to produce 1.7 billion cubic metres of desalinated water a year by 2030. Reaching that level will require at least 500 MW of steady baseload power.

  • Our take: Renewables are poised to be the default power source for future desalination projects… Read more (2 min)

Namibia has launched an international tender for six new 20 MW solar projects to be developed under an IPP model. The southern African country is making steady progress in both grid and captive generation, recently commissioning its first wheeling project. It is also opening the door to greater private sector participation to help expand energy access.

  • The country has become synonymous with green hydrogen development, with its first project valued at about $10 billion, nearly equal to its entire annual GDP. 

  • Namibia’s tender is likely to attract companies with multi-country operations and a strong financial record.

  • Our take: Global players bring competition and expertise… Read more (2 min)

New job listings this week total 150. While solar roles normally dominate our job board, geothermal is regaining momentum, with four new positions in Kenya from the Geothermal Development Company (GDC). Battery energy storage roles are also resurfacing as the continent integrates more intermittent renewable energy sources.

  • Leading this week’s hiring is Sappi, a global producer of renewables-based materials, with ten roles in South Africa. Scatec and d.light remain steady hirers with three listings each.

  • Energy-intensive industries are increasingly converging with renewables across the continent. This trend is now giving rise to new roles. South Africa is seeking a Data Centre Infrastructure Solution Architect.

  • The full list of jobs is here…(2 min)

E3 Capital has invested in Plentify’s $15 million Series A, aiming to accelerate the deployment of its intelligent energy solutions (Source: Cygnum Capital)

Events

🗓️ Register for the Financing Electricity Access in Africa webinar (Nov 24)

🗓️ Participate in South Africa's largest solar survey results webinar (Nov 25)

🗓️ Attend the Africa Energy Expo 2025 (Nov 25)

Various

⚡️ PowerChina plans to deepen its renewable energy focus in Africa

💸 CrossBoundary Energy raises $200 million for African renewables

🔌 Morocco is set to establish a renewable-driven data center and AI hub

💰 AfDB, SEFA secures $58 million for just energy transition & Mission 300

Seen on LinkedIn 

Wanjohi Mahinda, Solar Sales Engineer at Megapower, says, “The future of energy in Africa won't be found in a centralised grid. It will be built by a thousand mini-grids, powered by intelligent and integrated systems.”