Morocco’s green energy journey

Morocco is starting to make a name for itself as a climate leader. Due to its geographical location, Morocco has an array of wind, water, and solar resources to use for power generation. In fact, renewables now play one of the most important roles in Morocco’s energy sector. By shifting toward cleaner energy sources, the country has become one of the largest renewable energy markets on the African continent. The government has also set some very ambitious targets, aiming at reaching 52 percent of all power generation from green sources by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. That’s impressive. 

What’s interesting is the confluence of reasons that are driving Morocco’s green energy push. Unlike many other countries in the MENA region, Morocco is not an oil- or gas-producing country. In fact, Morocco is a net energy importer. In 2022, 90% of the country’s energy needs were met through imported fossil fuels, including refined oil, gas, and coal. Volatile and increasing fossil fuel prices have put the government’s budget under pressure and undermine its ability to push forward with its ambitious development agenda. Therefore, renewable energy is probably the best way for Morocco to reduce its energy bill and gain control and ‘ownership’ over its energy needs.

Secondly, the issue of water is very much on the mind of Moroccan leaders. Morocco has a shortage of fresh water, ranking 27th globally on WRI’s Aqueduct Water Atlas. Surface water and groundwater account for some 97% of Morocco’s fresh water sources. The drought over the past few years has forced the government to redirect fresh water from agricultural production to household consumption, which has had an impact on its GDP. To help solve the water shortage, the country is planning to build a large number of desalination plants over the next 10 years. However, desalination is very energy intensive. To make desalination sustainable, both environmentally and economically, Morocco needs to try to run these plants on renewable energies. 

Thirdly, Morocco really does have an abundance of solar and wind resources, which has helped make this North African country an ideal location for investments in renewable energies, including green hydrogen. Morocco ranks second in the Normalized Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index, published annually by Ernst & Young. 

And then there are also the links to the EU and that potential market. The EU has set several ambitious net-zero targets by 2050, and many EU economies are eying green energy imports from North Africa to strengthen their energy security. I think it’s clear that Morocco’s renewable-energy journey has only just started.  

*Kieran Baker is an Emmy award winning journalist who has started up various networks including Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg TV Africa and TRT World.