Concerned by Morocco's nuclear project, Canary government will offer Rabat an alternative program

Concerned by a Moroccan project to build a nuclear energy sea water desalination unit in the southern town of Tan Tan, the Spanish autonomous government of the Canary Islands said it will offer Morocco an alternative wind power unit.

Roman Rodriguez, President of the Canary government, was quoted by the local Cabarias 7 daily as saying that he entrusted two Spanish specialized bodies to present him a "viable, cheap and reasonable" wind power project as an alternative to the Moroccan nuclear power.

Morocco intends to build a nuclear energy sea water desalination unit with Chinese assistance.

The 10-mw reactor will produce 8,000 cubic meters a day of water to supply some 70,000 inhabitants with drinking water.

The project, whose feasibility was approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency, will pave the way for the implementation of similar undertakings in the southern provinces to fight water scarcity.

Rodriguez said he would present the project to Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, when he would have the opportunity to meet him.

He disclosed that the project will be financed by the European Union, part of the Agenda 200 program.