Morocco increases the contribution of renewable energies to its electricity mix and develops new clean energy projects
The Kingdom of Morocco is taking another step forward in its ambitions to develop the renewable energy sector. ONEE's recently published 2022 annual report shows that renewable energies made a significant contribution to the country's national electricity production in 2022.
Indeed, Rabat has made considerable efforts to develop the clean and renewable energy sector. According to the Office, installed electrical capacity in Morocco reached 11,055 megawatts (MG) in 2022, an increase of 0.8 % compared with 2021. Wind power represents a total capacity of 1,553 MW, which is complemented by solar power (831 MW) and hydroelectric power (1,770 MW, including MW from the Afourer pumped-storage power station). However, thermal energy continues to dominate the Moroccan electricity mix, with a capacity of 6,901 MW, including 4,641 MW for steam power stations, in this case coal (4,116 MW) and fuel oil (525 MW).
Nevertheless, renewable energies accounted for 16.1 % of Morocco's energy mix by 2022, excluding hydroelectricity, prompting the Moroccan authorities to develop other projects. Several clean energy projects are under construction, including the Abdelmoumen pumped-storage power station with a capacity of 350 MW and the El Menzel STEP (between 300 and 400 MW). The wind power projects at Taza (2nd phase, 63 MW), Boujdour (300 MW), Tangier II (70 MW), Jbel Landid (270 MW) and Tiskrad (100 MW) are also included, as are the solar power plants at Noor Midelt (400 MW), Noor PVII (400 MW) and Noor Atlas (200 MW).
Moroccan sustainable energy agency Mazen revealed that six consortia of companies have qualified to build a new 400 MW solar power plant in the Atlas Mountains, Nour-Midelt 2. The six alliances are led respectively by Cobra Servicesus and Communications Inc. Enercia Telecom and Energy of Spain, EDF of France, Enel Green Power of Italy, Iberdrola Renovables International of Spain, International Power of Belgium and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia.
According to Mazen, the project aims to “build a solar power plant using photovoltaic technology, with a high production capacity and a two-hour storage capacity”. However, the value of the plant and the date on which the winning consortium will be announced have not yet been determined.
The agency, founded in 2010, spearheaded the first large-scale solar harvest in the Middle East and North Africa. It aims to make solar energy affordable and reduce the country's dependence on high-carbon imports. Mazen is working in tandem with ONEE to coordinate the solar energy development strategy of the country's renewable energy plan and lead projects to generate six gigawatts of clean electricity generation capacity.
By using green energy, the Kingdom of Morocco is seeking to reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels by around 2.5 million tonnes of oil a year and eventually export the surplus to neighbouring countries. For years, Rabat has been the largest importer of fossil fuels in the region, relying on foreign sources for over 97 % of its energy.
In recent years, renewable energies in Morocco have emerged as one of the top three promising markets for attracting investment, in light of the country's ambitious plan to increase solar, wind and green hydrogen production capacity. The ultimate aim is to increase the share of these green energies to more than 52 % of national electricity production by 2030.
Morocco's efforts to develop the clean and renewable energy sector have been highlighted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). At the meeting of the Bureau of the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly, presided by Morocco, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen praised Morocco's leadership and firm commitment to tackling environmental challenges.