Country Overview
The African country of the Kingdom of Morocco is bordered by the, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Algeria, and Mauritania. The population of Morocco is approximately 38.23 million people.
In 2021, Morocco’s economy was ranked 56th in gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. The country’s economy is dependent on the export of cars, fertilizers, insulated wire, phosphoric acid, non-knit women’s suits, calcium phosphates, and legumes.
Environmental Policies
In 2009, Morocco implemented the National Energy Strategy 2009-2030, which focuses on the reduction in the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and setting a goal of generating 52% of the country’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 100% of the people of Morocco had access to electricity. In 2022, Morocco’s state-owned utility, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONNE) used refined petroleum (61.7%), coal (30.2%), renewable energy (7.2%), and natural gas (0.9%) to generate electricity in the country. Wind and solar are the dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Morocco.
Recent renewable energy projects in Morocco include:
- 900 MW Wind Project – American renewable energy company, Harmattan Energy is continuing on a wind project, located near the city of Dahkla in territory of Western Sahara. The wind project is forecast to be completed by year-end 2027.
- 800 MW Solar + Energy Storage Project – The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy is continuing work on the Noor Midelt solar plus energy storage project, which is located approximately 180 miles southeast of the capital, Rabat. The photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) project is scheduled to be commissioned in 2024.
- 400 MW Solar + 400 MWh Energy Storage Project – In August 2023, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energylaunched a tender for the Noor Midelt III solar plus battery energy storage system (BESS), which will be located at a site approximately 200 miles southeast of Rabat.
- 270 MW Wind Project – Moroccan energy company, Nareva Holdings and Italian energy company, Enel are continuing work on the Jbel Lahdid Wind project, which is located approximately 100 miles west of the city of Marrakesh. The wind project is scheduled to be commissioned by year-end 2023.
- 135 MW Solar Project – In April 2023, state-owned phosphate mining company OCP Group announced plans to build two solar projects with a total capacity of 135 MW at a site approximately 75 miles south of Rabat.
- 87 MW Wind Project – In March 2022, French utility, EDF Renouvelables and Japanese multinational, Mitsui commissioned on the Taza wind project, which is located in northern Morocco.
- 67 MW Solar Project – In April 2023, state-owned phosphate mining company OCP Group announced plans to build two solar projects with a total capacity of 67 MW at a site approximately 100 miles southwest of Rabat.
- 36 MW Wind Project – In May 2021, French power company, InnoVent Maroc commissioned the Oualidia wind project, which is located approximately 125 miles southwest of the capital, Rabat.
Conclusions
Morocco imports approximately 90% of its fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for power generation, and transportation. In 2021, Morocco imported U.S. $5.02 Billion for refined petroleum and U.S. $1.68 Billion for petroleum gas.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
Morocco has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including solar, onshore wind, biomass, and offshore wind. Solar and wind development is now booming in Morocco.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues.