Morocco and its big bet on green hydrogen
Morocco has planned the "Morocco's Offer" initiative to develop the green hydrogen sector in a bid to improve national competitiveness. Atalayar was able to talk to Mohcine Jazouli, Minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies to analyse in depth this issue, which is of great importance for the Moroccan and African economies.
What are the objectives of the "Morocco's Offer" and what resources does it require for its development?
First of all, it is crucial to underline that the publication of the circular on the "Morocco's Offer" for green hydrogen is in line with the implementation of the enlightened vision of His Majesty the King, God help him.
Morocco has gained a competitive advantage through its successes in renewable energies, as His Majesty was a visionary leader 15 years ago when he initiated an extensive investment programme in this sector. Consequently, Morocco is positioning itself as a long-term player in the hydrogen sector. Aware of the significant challenges and impacts posed by this new industry, our country has formulated a refined and balanced offer, providing investors with greater clarity and visibility.
This circular marks a significant turning point for Morocco, ushering in a new phase of economic development by creating a holistic and transparent framework for investors. Its implementation will enable the Kingdom to emerge as a key player in the global energy transition.
It was imperative for the government to develop a "Morocco's Offer" for the green hydrogen sector in order to improve the country's competitiveness. The circular's main objective is to provide visibility and clarity to investors, while safeguarding the interests of the Moroccan state and its population. Structured in six parts, it exhaustively details the scope of the "Morocco's Offer", the allocation of land for its implementation, the infrastructure necessary for the development of green hydrogen, the incentive measures, the investor selection process, the contractual arrangements with the State and the governance of the green hydrogen sector.
Morocco's pioneering position in renewable energy, combined with its natural resources, strategic location, strong infrastructure and skilled workforce, gives it a global competitive advantage. Although Morocco already has strong infrastructures in place, further development is needed to meet the demands of the burgeoning green hydrogen sector, especially in terms of hydrogen pipelines, ports and desalination units. This represents a major opportunity for public-private partnerships.
These factors are likely to attract long-term investors and partners who recognise Morocco's political, institutional and economic stability and see it as a land of abundant opportunity.
What kind of partners does this initiative support and what role can Spain play?
The introduction of a hydrogen initiative in Morocco aims to attract investors to establish comprehensive hydrogen projects in the country, building on its inherent strengths.
In order to identify the most suitable partners, clear selection criteria have been carefully assessed. These criteria cover a number of factors, such as the financial strength of the investors, their proven experience in different facets of the sector's value chain (including renewables, chemistry, logistics, etc.), their absorption strategies, as well as their ability to generate positive socio-economic impacts for Morocco. This includes aspects such as job creation, industrial integration, local development in project areas and contribution to Moroccan state revenues.
Spain and Morocco share a strategic partnership in several areas, facilitated by their diplomatic, geographical and historical proximity. Spain has extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, allowing Spanish investors to play an important role in the Moroccan initiative. They are encouraged to participate in the submission of projects through a transparent selection process described in the circular on the "Morocco's Offer".
Hydrogen can position Morocco as a world energy leader and this project can further the Atlantic initiative with the Sahel countries, so who are the main beneficiaries of this project?
The "Morocco's Offer" represents a progressive, practical and phased approach in partnership with investors. It has been developed according to the highest international standards, while taking into account Morocco's unique attributes. It is designed to position Morocco as a leader and pioneer in the global energy transition.
The development of the hydrogen sector in Morocco has important implications on a national, continental and global scale. Positive externalities are expected to spill over to all of Morocco's partners, including Spain and the European Union as end markets. In addition, local communities are poised to reap the economic benefits derived from these projects.
Investors choosing to undertake green hydrogen projects in Morocco will have access to abundant solar and wind resources, along with competitive production costs, in a country renowned for its stability and promising economic prospects.
The Sahel Countries Atlantic Initiative embodies the royal vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, God help him, to improve the Sahelian nations' access to the Atlantic Ocean, with the overall goal of fostering prosperity across Africa. This initiative epitomises South-South cooperation based on mutually beneficial partnerships.
Competitive green energy production in Morocco will also provide the Sahelian partner countries with the opportunity to advance their electrification efforts and initiate the decarbonisation of their economies. Powerful energy and industrial synergies can be harnessed to maximise positive outcomes for local populations.
