Abou Bekr Belkaïd University (Algeria) is a public higher education and research institution located in the Mediterranean city of Tlemcen, Algeria. Established in 1989, the university comprises several faculties covering science, technology, engineering, and applied disciplines, and contributes to national development through teaching, scientific research, and knowledge transfer.
Its laboratories conduct applied research in the fields of energy, water, and environment, with a focus on water resource management, water treatment, renewable energies, and sustainable technologies. Located in a region facing water scarcity and climate stress, the university is well positioned to develop sustainable water solutions for agriculture.
Within the scope of PRIMA Topic 1.1.1‑2026, the institution can provide expertise, collaboration, and access to pilot sites to develop and demonstrate decentralized brackish water desalination systems suitable for Mediterranean agriculture and powered by renewable energy.
Decentralized Brackish Water Desalination, Reverse Osmosis – Photovoltaic Powered Systems, Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mediterranean Agriculture, Pilot Demonstration.
Abou Bekr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen seeks to participate in a PRIMA 2026 consortium focused on Topic 1.1.1 – Decentralised Brackish Water Desalination for Climate-Resilient and Resource-Efficient Mediterranean Agriculture. The university aims to contribute technical expertise, applied research experience, and access to pilot experimental sites in the Tlemcen region, where water available for agriculture is often brackish.
The proposed collaboration includes:
– Design, development, and validation of decentralized brackish water desalination systems adapted to local agricultural conditions, particularly in semi-arid areas and “red zones,” where farmers’ wells often contain brackish water.
– Integration of renewable energy sources, primarily photovoltaic systems, to power the desalination units.
– Field testing and pilot demonstrations to assess performance, efficiency, and scalability of the systems under real conditions.
– Data collection and analysis on water quality, system efficiency, and agricultural impact.
– Support and engagement with local farmers, to provide practical solutions for improving access to freshwater and agricultural productivity.
The university seeks collaboration with partners with complementary expertise in advanced desalination technologies, AI-assisted water management, agronomy, and IoT monitoring, to jointly develop sustainable and climate-resilient water solutions for Mediterranean agriculture.
Our contribution is centered on an integrated Water-Energy-Food Nexus approach to develop a climate-resilient decentralized desalination solution. We are committed to:
– Technically: Designing an optimized PV-Reverse Osmosis unit for off-grid areas, ensuring maximum reliability for irrigation.
– Economically: Demonstrating the financial viability of the model through a rigorous profitability analysis, making the technology accessible to – Mediterranean farmers.
– Environmentally: Ensuring carbon neutrality through solar power and closing the loop via ecological brine management (circular economy).
– Socially: Promoting water equity and food sovereignty by specifically targeting disadvantaged rural communities.
