Morocco aims for 20 % energy savings by 2030

Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, praised Morocco's efficiency approach, which will lead to 20 % energy savings by 2030. Benali mentioned that the approach considers several objectives set within the country's sustainable development strategy, as well as the recommendations of the new development model. 

During a meeting of the Public Finance Control Committee in the House of Representatives, focused on the financial management of the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE), Benali stressed that the new outlook considers the objectives of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (SNDD), as well as the suggestions of the New Development Model, and targets the transport, construction, industry, agriculture and lighting sectors. 

Benali said that more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects have been authorised during the current government's tenure. These projects represent an investment of more than $1.8 billion and have already generated more than 300 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs.  

The approach seeks to ensure that ‘new investment projects comply with the principles of energy efficiency,’ Benali explained, adding that it incorporates these measures ‘in public spending and state-supported programmes’. He added that this makes ‘energy efficiency an essential concern for professionals and citizens’. 

Morocco has pledged to do more to promote its renewable energy assets as part of the country's sustainable development strategy. The AMEE is updating this indicator, the minister announced, adding that the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the public lighting sector will reduce energy consumption by 40 %.

The North African country aims to position itself as a regional leader in Africa in terms of green energy transition, with the main objective of generating 52% of its energy from clean renewable sources by 2030.

The government has launched an innovative initiative that rewards citizens who achieve energy savings in their electricity consumption, which has led to a 3 % decrease in energy consumption.  

The minister characterised energy efficiency as a ‘second pillar’ of Morocco's national energy strategy, presenting a promising area for employment generation in the energy sector. It is also expected to create 100,000 jobs by 2030, the minister said, noting that energy savings of 6.58 % were recorded in 2020.

The target is achievable, as the country has large-scale renewable energy projects, including the Noor Ouarzazate complex, which produces around 580 MW and is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world.  

For his part, the director general of the AMEE, Mohamed Benyahya, stressed that this draft law seeks to give new responsibilities to the Agency, especially in the area of decarbonisation of various sectors of the national economy and the promotion of the circular economy, in particular through the valorisation of waste from industrial activities.  

In his presentation, Benyahya clarified that this institutional reform seeks to foster complementarity between energy efficiency, decarbonisation and proper use of resources in the context of the circular economy, while addressing certain institutional gaps to strengthen the role of the Agency through monitoring, measurement and verification mechanisms.