Feasibility Study – Algeria's National Water Transfer Canal Project

Algeria confronts severe water scarcity, particularly in its central and southern regions, exacerbated by population expansion, climate change, and uneven resource distribution. This feasibility study assesses the National Water Transfer Canal, a pivotal infrastructure initiative linking northern dams, desalination facilities, and southern groundwater reserves to secure sustainable water provision for agriculture, urban expansion, and industry. Extending 1,200–1,500 km, the project features corrosion-resistant large-diameter pipelines, solar- and wind-powered pumping stations, storage reservoirs, and IoT-enabled smart monitoring systems. The initiative seeks to irrigate 500,000 hectares for food self-sufficiency and export surpluses, develop new urban centers in Biskra, El Oued, Ghardaïa, Laghouat, Djelfa, Boussaâda, In Salah, Arak, and Tamanrasset, and bolster industrial sectors such as energy, hydrogen production, and mining. Environmental advantages encompass wetland formation, biodiversity enhancement, and desertification alleviation, counterbalanced by risks like groundwater depletion and secondary salinization. Financial projections indicate $20–25 billion in capital outlay, annual operating expenses of $250–350 million, and revenues of $500–750 million, fortified by an extended sensitivity analysis encompassing logistical and market uncertainties. This strategic endeavor amalgamates water security, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and urbanization, establishing Algeria as a regional exemplar in water management and food security while advancing economic resilience, social stability, and environmental sustainability. A thorough risk evaluation, incorporating geotechnical safeguards and social protections, underpins long-term feasibility.