Publications /
Policy Paper

Back
Morocco’s Green Energy Opportunity
Authors
Laura El Katiri
October 18, 2016

Morocco’s energy landscape has been changing rapidly over the past decades. Alongside its own population growth, rising access rates to electricity as well as high rates of rural-urban migration and rising living standards, Morocco’s domestic energy needs have risen sharply since the early 1990s. This policy paper explores Morocco’s long-term energy options, focusing on “green” energy solutions that lie within Morocco’s natural competitive advantage. Using Morocco’s strategic assets – its strategic geographic location at the interception of Europe, North and West Africa and the Middle East; its political stability and its long-lasting, well-established relations with neighbouring Europe; its domestic market size, which is one of Africa’s largest markets for energy; and its abundance in its still under-utilised renewable energy resources solar and wind power – Morocco can benefit from a domestic clean energy transition. To maximise its use of these resources and to take up the vast opportunity Morocco faces in green energy – in particular in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) – Morocco will need to add further policy focus on the area, and work actively to secure finance options, including from external sources. COP22 in Marrakech in November 2016 will in this context offer one important forum to further access to such funding while also working to open up future export markets, in particular Southern Europe.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Authors
    February 13, 2024
    As a net energy importer seeking to improve its energy security, Morocco has stepped up initiatives to achieve a level of domestic energy sovereignty. This includes following guidelines for transitioning to cleaner energy sources, with an emphasis on diversification. This diversification extends to natural gas, solar and wind power, and innovative solutions such as green hydrogen. Morocco recognizes cooperation as a crucial element for the success of its strategies, as underlined by ...
  • May 19, 2023
    This Policy Paper was originally published on freiheit.org This study explores how Morocco can successfully develop a green hydrogen market and at the same time contribute to the global energy transition. Authors Rim Berahab and Afaf Zarkik show how Morocco’s bold strategies and investments in renewables can shape a promising future for green hydrogen. They chart a path to decipher the potential of this energy vector, while outlining the elements necessary for the emergence of a g ...
  • Authors
    Abdelmonim AMACHRAA
    May 17, 2023
    Nothing better illustrates the positive contribution of the integration of national economies into global value chains than the fact that in the 1990s, the automotive sector barely existed in Morocco. Now, it is the leading export sector, with a production and assembly capacity of 700,000 vehicles, making it an attractive and competitive hub linking Africa and Europe in the automotive value chain. However, the automotive industry is on the cusp of change, with advances in electric a ...
  • Authors
    April 10, 2023
    The contemporary global energy landscape is experiencing noteworthy changes in demand, supply, technology, markets, and investment. These developments transcend conventional oil and gas security considerations. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, have become increasingly cost-effective compared to fossil fuels, and the minerals required to produce them are gaining importance. Nevertheless, recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine ha ...
  • March 07, 2023
    انطلقت دول وتكتّلات جهوية كثيرة في تطوير قطاع الهيدروجين الأخضر، معتبرة إياه مورد أساسي لتلبية الطلب الدولي للطاقة في المستقبل، حيث يفرض تغير المناخ البحث عن بدائل للنفط والغاز الطبيعي وا ...
  • February 28, 2023
    انطلقت دول وتكتّلات جهوية كثيرة في تطوير قطاع الهيدروجين الأخضر، معتبرة إياه مورد أساسي لتلبية الطلب الدولي للطاقة في المستقبل، حيث يفرض تغير المناخ البحث عن بدائل للنفط والغاز الطبيعي والفحم المهيمنين حاليا ومنذ بداية العصر الصناعي على الاستهلاك العالمي للطاقة. فتم الاعلان عن استراتيجي...