A summit in Morocco explores the role of green hydrogen in the fight against climate change
In recent days, Marrakech has hosted the third edition of the Power-to-X World Summit (PTX23), an event that has brought together politicians, researchers and energy experts. PTX23 aims to explore and analyse the possibilities and potential of green hydrogen and clean molecules to fight climate change, thus promoting international cooperation in the field of energy efficiency. PTX23 also serves as a space for regional and international dialogue on industrial, logistical and technological aspects of green hydrogen and its applications.
The event - held this year under the title "Releasing green hydrogen and clean molecules for a carbon-free future" - was jointly organised by the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), the GreenH2 Cluster and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, in collaboration with the Regional Council of Guelmim Oued Noun and the magazine Industrie du Maroc.
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The summit was attended by industry leaders, such as Mohammed Yahya Zniber, president of GreenH2 Cluster, who highlighted that the transition to a green economy based on hydrogen presents a unique opportunity to combat climate change and also address migration challenges, according to Morocco World News.
Zniber also stressed the need to promote industrial strategies, protect technological sovereignty and encourage international partnership in the green hydrogen sector and its derivatives, such as methanol.
On the other hand, Samir Rachidi, CEO of IRESEN, highlighted the significant progress of the Moroccan automotive and aeronautical industry, which has been praised worldwide. He also stressed the importance of the Green Ammonia Pilot Plant (GAPP) project, dedicated to innovation and applications of green hydrogen to strengthen Morocco's potential in the green energy sector.
In recent years, the Kingdom has positioned itself as one of the pioneer nations in renewable energy, even emerging as a source of green energy for the European Union. In this regard, Rachidi said that the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI has played a key role in the promotion of renewable energies in the country, as well as in the positioning of the Kingdom as a focus of carbon-neutral industrial ecosystems.
Within these green energies, Morocco has begun to boost green hydrogen capacity, emerging as a reliable partner in this area at the international level. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Kingdom is among the first four countries in the world with significant potential to become an exporter of green hydrogen. According to the data, Morocco has the potential to supply 4% of the world's demand for clean hydrogen.
European nations, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have already realised the Kingdom's potential, and have signed agreements with the authorities to research this industry and develop different projects in the country.
The event was also attended by educational centres, such as the Mohamed VI Polytechnic University. The president of this institution, Hicham El Habti, urged the abandonment of fossil fuel sources in order to combat global environmental challenges. To this end, he pointed out the importance of guaranteeing access to clean energy for all nations and stabilising the world energy market.
Chakib Alj, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), expressed a similar view, stressing the urgency of decarbonising industries in order to face the climate emergency.
In this regard, Ali highlighted the role of green hydrogen, a promising carbon-free element that could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also stressed the need to reduce the cost gap between green hydrogen and fossil fuels and to strengthen international collaboration.
Within Morocco, the regions with the greatest potential for green energy projects are the southern provinces. For this reason, Mbarka Bouaida, President of the Regional Council of Guelmim-Oued Noun, was one of the guests at the event.
Bouaida spoke about the vital role that regions play in driving economic growth, technological progress and innovation. He also stressed that regions are not only attractive destinations for investment, but also key players in the success of sustainable development projects.
