Marruecos podría lograr su objetivo energético antes de 2030
While sky-high price rises and the energy crisis have forced many countries to pull out the map of coal-fired power plants, the strategy and policy adopted by the Kingdom has only boosted its ambition to grow to meet its 2030 target. By the end of 2021, Morocco's installed capacity in terms of energy amounted to 4,050 MW, representing a share of almost 38%. Thanks to its relentless pursuit of foreign investment that the North African country has been able to attract, Morocco could reach the target of 52% of production capacity.
By 2023, Morocco will reach the 42% target set for 2020, a delay caused by the pandemic. Even so, the North African kingdom expects that by 2030 it will more than meet its targets, exceeding 64% green production of its total energy. The announcement was made by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, during an appearance at a plenary session of the House of Representatives of the Moroccan Parliament. The minister explained that there are currently 61 projects underway with a total investment of around 550 million dollars.
At the same time, she added that there are a number of initiatives and programmes promoted by the Moroccan administration to support investment in renewable energies, including investment programmes in photovoltaic capacity is 400 megawatts in favour of small and medium enterprises, or projects such as desalination plants developed in the port of Dakhla in the Sahara. She also pointed out the importance of the plan to supply the industrial fabric of Kenitra with clean energy with a capacity of 160 gigawatts per hour.
The minister also referred to the closure last December of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline that supplied Algerian natural gas to Spain, which passed through Moroccan territory, a country that until then received this fuel through this pipeline before its closure as a result of the breakdown in relations between Rabat and Algiers. She also indicated that the closure of this pipeline meant "an opportunity for a global review of the natural gas roadmap", a product that she considered essential for the development of renewable energies, and the development of the country's industrial and logistical fabric.
According to Professor Mohammed Bennouna, interviewed by Hespress FR, the country's development and, therefore, all energy-related projects were developed according to 2008 studies which indicated that the Kingdom would need a capacity of 24,000 GW to reach the 52% target. However, recent studies have shown that only 16,000 GW will be needed by 2030, so the target is not only closer, but will allow Morocco to be more ambitious in its quest for less dependence on hydrocarbons such as oil and coal.
The expert added that the help of foundations such as the Office Chérifien des Phosphates, (OCP) is playing a key role in achieving these goals, since thanks to the various photovoltaic plants they have, they cover about 10% of the objectives set by Rabat. In fact, the OCP aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, increase its production capacities, 100% non-conventional water by 2024 and 100% green energy by 2027 for a total investment of 130 billion dirhams in four years that will make more than 147 billion dirhams in turnover from 2025.