In the area of renewable energy, Morocco is rising to prominence and becoming a significant player in Africa’s energy revolution, particularly in the rapidly developing green hydrogen market.

The Tagesschau program that was carried on the first German channel, Das Erste, devoted a report on the assets of the Kingdom in the field, noting how the country is thought of as “the pioneer of Africa in green energy” even though Morocco intends to supply Germany with green hydrogen.

The program brought up the Kingdom’s ranking as eighth, slightly behind nations like Denmark and Sweden, in the Climate Protection Index 2023.

According to Moroccan energy expert Rahal Lagnaoui, green energy from water, wind, and sun already provides 20% of Morocco’s energy needs. However, the country’s green ambitions are far greater and manifest in a number of initiatives.

With Germany’s help, Morocco wants to invest more than 300 million euros in the construction of a hydrogen plant, and the first green hydrogen should start to be generated in 2025 if the nation is to achieve its goal of being a global leader in the production of green hydrogen.

“With the German investment, Morocco is advancing its energy turnaround; in return, Germany will receive Moroccan green hydrogen in the future,” the paper stated.

According to Samir Rachidi, deputy head of the National Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), “the idea is not to make Morocco the future Russia for hydrogen, but an important player with which we can produce green hydrogen with high added value and low cost, competitively, and in the short term.”

The proposal also states that Morocco will be able to “accelerate its own energy transition and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and the import of fossil energy” thanks to the German-Moroccan cooperation.

The program does, however, highlight several difficulties, beginning with water scarcity and drought. For this, Samir Rachidi adds, “the idea is actually to use only desalinated seawater to produce hydrogen.”

According to Tagesschau, the KfW is presently investing roughly 700 million euros in the Moroccan water sector because “the Moroccan state and the German state are aiming for a win-win situation with their partnership on hydrogen.”

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In a speech delivered to the 26th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP26, HM King Mohammed VI emphasized the urgent need for real political will and a more equitable commitment to a broad category of humanity that is currently bearing the brunt of a global economic system from which it is not benefiting equitably.

“With the growing number of reports by climate change experts, everyone now realizes that the gloomiest predictions have unfortunately become a bitter reality,” The Sovereign mentioned this in his speech, which was read out by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, on Monday in Glasgow (Scotland), which is hosting the COP26 negotiations (1-12 November).

“Mankind has but one of two choices: either surrender to self-destructing apathy, or engage honestly and unequivocally in a set of practical measures that can rapidly effect a real change in the current policy, which has proven its ineffectiveness,” the Monarch pointed out.

According to HM the King, the worldwide response to the threat of the covid-19 epidemic has demonstrated that there are possibilities and means that were supposedly unattainable when it comes to addressing climate change.

A number of countries, which bear historical and moral responsibility for the current deterioration of the environmental situation, have managed to come up with enormous financial resources, the Sovereign emphasized, adding that experience has shown that it is possible to reduce these countries’ activities that are harmful to the climate and the environment without uncontrollable consequences.

Concerning the damage done to Africa as a result of climate change, the Monarch emphasized that the inadequate financial and technological support supplied is a harsh indicator of the current international system’s failures.

“It is our hope that this COP26 session will stimulate a global collective awareness which would pave the way for the establishment of sustainable, solidarity-based human communities that uphold the values of fairness and coexistence,” HM the King said.

With that solid belief in mind, Morocco has been strengthening its multifaceted commitment to addressing climate concerns, pledging to increase its Nationally Determined Contribution to lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5 percent by 2030, according to the Sovereign.

This is part of an integrated, low-carbon development strategy that will be implemented by 2050 with the goal of assisting in the transition to a green economy that is in line with the sustainable development goals, as well as enhancing resilience and adaptation to protect the environment, both of which are pillars of the Kingdom’s new development model, the Monarch added.

With the same resolve, Morocco has increased its engagement, along with African sister nations, to confront the destructive effects of climate change, HM the King said, recalling that the Kingdom has launched initiatives for agricultural adaptation, security and stability promotion, and access to sustainable energy, in addition to establishing the three African Climate Commissions within the framework of the Africa Action Summit, which was held in Marrakesh.

According to the Sovereign, the changes that must be implemented to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis are well known, and the international community should not pause but rather move forward and activate tangible solutions with a specific implementation agenda, backed by strong political will, to change the world’s worrying trajectory.

“We are calling for an awakening of the global conscience and for a collective, responsible commitment to tackle climate change in order to ensure a better future for all humankind,” the Monarch pointed out.

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The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water’s Director-General, Abdel Rahim El Hafidi, acknowledged yesterday, Thursday in Erfoud, that the photovoltaic solar plants of Erfoud, Zagora, and Missour have features that are distinct from traditional photovoltaic solar plants.

On the occasion of a technical visit to the solar photovoltaic station in Erfoud, El Hafidi stated that these stations contribute to the strengthening of solar photovoltaic energy production capabilities and play a significant role in maintaining the national grid’s balance, because “their achievement aims to absorb the shortage known to the regions at the end of the national grid, which is a major source of concern.”

El Hafidi, who was accompanied by a number of officials from the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water, confirmed that the stations were completed in Erfoud, Zagora, and Mysore because these areas “suffer from the problem of low voltage in the national grid,” as well as the availability of great qualifications in the field of solar energy, with Erfoud’s estimated capacity of 2397 kWh/m2, “while Zagora’s capacity is estimated.

He went on to say that these plants, along with their qualifications and technological advancements in solar photovoltaic plant technologies, “enabled us today to reduce the cost of production by less than 30 centimes per kilowatt hour, whereas it was estimated at around 3.50 dirhams per kilowatt hour in 2009.”

El Hafidi, on the other hand, stated that the technical visit to Erfoud’s solar photovoltaic station was intended to inspect and determine the completion of the station’s construction work, as well as to see the results of technical experiments related to the station’s synchronization with the national grid and its exploitation.

He stated that all of the trials carried out at the station were successful, and that the second phase of the experiments would begin today, focusing on the evaluation of the plant’s performance and production, which will be synchronized with the exploitation.

He explained that this station is one of three placed at the end of the electricity network, which includes the 120-megawatt Nour Tafilalt solar complex.

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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Moroccan Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN) have announced that they would work together to achieve the Moroccan government’s renewable and green energy targets.

On September 29, the EBRD and IRESEN met in Rabat to sign a “Memorandum of Understanding” to stimulate further investment and innovation in the renewable energy sector.

“We are thrilled to partner with the EBRD in order to support the acceleration of the energy transition in Morocco.” Badr Ikken, Director General of IRESEN, said “The agreement sealed today is a pledge of confidence in the 10 years of work by IRESEN teams in supporting Morocco’s energy strategy, through research and development, innovation and capacity-building.”

Morocco’s government aims to convert 52 percent of the country’s electrical production capacity to renewable sources by 2030. Morocco has also pioneered a wide range of new green technology.

While the EBRD encourages Morocco to continue its decarbonization efforts, it also plans to help through direct and indirect finance as well as policy discussion activities.

“We are very delighted to come together with IRESEN to deepen our commitment in Morocco’s green transition,” stated Antoine Sallé de Chou, EBRD Director, Head of Morocco. Addressing the climate crisis is not a choice, but a need. As a result, it is critical to investigate all credible clean-energy technologies that could help the country accelerate its green-energy transition. This is the content of today’s memorandum.”

Morocco has been a major force behind the country’s transition to environmental sustainability. The IRESEN has been a major driving force in achieving these objectives. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Environment, as well as other energy industry experts, founded the organization in 2011.

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Morocco and Brazil will partner up on electric mobility. According to the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the Green Energy Park (GEP), a solar energy research and training platform based in the green city of Benguerir, has signed a technology transfer agreement with a network of Brazilian researchers in the field of car battery chargers. The agreement was signed by Inesc P&D Brasil, a non-governmental scientific and technological organization, and GEP, the result of a cooperation between the OCP Group and the Solar Energy and Renewable Energies Research Institute (l’Iresen).
According to Vladimiro Miranda, president of Inesc P&D Brazil, as quoted by ANBA, the Chamber of Commerce’s press agency, this is not the first partnership between the Brazilian institution and Morocco. During the pandemic, another project was launched, Researchers from Brazil, Portugal, and Morocco teamed up on the ‘vita pneuma,’ a device used in covid-19 emergencies. According to Vladimiro Miranda, trilateral cooperation entailed exchanging information and developing local products in response to the unique characteristics of each country.

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As part of the industrial acceleration plan, Renault Group Morocco and the Ministry of Industry, On Tuesday, July 27, a convention setting new objectives for the development of the company’s diamond ecosystem was signed by Commerce and Green and Digital Economy. The occasion also for the staff of the latter to unveil with great pomp the new Dacia Sandero produced locally at the Somaca.

A new agreement that, according to Renault staff, attests to the Group’s ambitions regarding the ramp-up of its development in the Kingdom. With the unwavering support of Morocco, it will also stimulate a new dynamic in the local automotive industry. It should be noted that the automobile industry, the leading exporting sector in the Kingdom, continued fully on its momentum at the end of 2020, gaining even more in terms of competitiveness and awareness throughout the region.

A signing ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid Elalamy and the Managing Director of Renault Group, Luca de Meo, who made the trip for the occasion.

Under the Enlightened Conduct of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the automotive industry in Morocco is beginning, today, a new turning point in its evolution. The development of our partnership with Renault opens its ecosystem to new horizons with high technological value, in perfect harmony with the objectives of our industrial recovery aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale», made it clear during his speech Moulay Hafid Elalamy.

And the Minister of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy added: «the expansion of the Renault ecosystem responds to two major challenges of the sector, namely the positioning of Morocco in electric mobility and the strengthening of local sourcing».

For his part, Luca de Meo was satisfied with this new impulse in the long-standing partnership between Morocco and the firm he is currently the boss. ‘This agreement will strengthen the competitiveness and attractiveness of Moroccan industry while preparing it for the future. ‘And M. de Meo to refine his statement: «the strategy of «decarbonization» initiated by the Kingdom is totally in line with our vision and will constitute a structuring element in the years to come».

Despite the health crisis and that of electronic components that impact all global economic players, Renault Group Morocco has confirmed its last commitment signed on 8 April 2016 with the Kingdom and consisting of the achievement of 1,5 billion euros in revenue, and 65% of local integration by 2023.

Having exceeded the 60% local integration rate at the beginning of 2021, the diamond firm intends to raise the local sourcing target to 2.5 billion euros by 2025, with a target of 3 billion euros. It is also committed to raising its integration rate to a target of around 80% over time.

Note that the number of Tier 1 suppliers in the Kingdom has already been tripled from 26 to 76. According to the minister and Renault staff, this agreement will support the installation of new suppliers and strengthen existing sites.

In any case, and in the opinion of the protagonists, the new objectives of Renault will support the development of the Moroccan industrial sector and the industrialization of the new vehicle projects of the Renault Group brands with high technological value.

Moreover, in line with the «Renaulution» strategy unveiled earlier this year and given the global orientation of the automotive industry towards the production of more environmentally friendly vehicles, Renault Group Morocco is preparing to industrialize new vehicles in its two Moroccan industrial platforms. Vehicles that will gradually include the latest Renault electrification technologies.

Note that the Moroccan subsidiary of Renault and its ecosystem benefit from the impetus given by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy with regard to «decarbonization» industry and the creation of a green energy sector at competitive prices. This initiative by the Kingdom will, according to Renault, contribute to strengthening Morocco’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale.

A partnership agreement that was also an opportunity for Somaca to unveil the first Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway for the local market. They will be marketed in both gasoline and diesel starting next September.

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Fusion Green and Acquired Technologies (CCC), a Portuguese company, a global supplier of engineering solutions, signed a value chain agreement (infrastructure, safety, transport, and logistics) associated with the development of the HEVO Ammoniac project on Tuesday in Rabat.

The project, which is part of the Kingdom’s renewable energy goals, aims to produce 31,850 tons of green hydrogen, 151,800 tons of nitrogen, and 183,650 tons of green ammoniac per year.

The signing ceremony was held in particular by Mohamed Ghazali, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Badr Aiken, Chairman of the Hash-Do Group and Yahya Zniber, and representatives of the National Office for Hydrocarbons and Minerals.

On this occasion, the Director of Commercial Development for Fusion Fuel Green, João Wahnon, noted that this project, for which a total investment of 865 million Euro would be targeted, would result in production of 3650 tons of green ammonia in 2022, 20,000 tons in 2023, 40,000 tons in 2024 and 60,000 tons in 2025.

In terms of hydrogen production, 616 tons will be manufactured in 2022, 3,472 in 2023, 6,940 in 2024, and 10,000 tons and 411 in 2025 and 2026.

He declared, Morocco has the potential to develop a global leadership in the field of hydrogen production and export at the international level, as evidence by the declaration of cooperation in the field of green hydrogen signed last February between Morocco and Portugal, with the goal of setting the necessary foundations for the development of partnership in this clean energy sector between economic actors in the two countries.

He emphasized the remarkable progress and ambitions of Morocco in terms of sustainable development and renewable energies, noting that “Morocco has

raised by 2020 the share of green energies to 42 of the total electric energy, with a commitment to reach 52 percent by 2030.”

According to Mohamed Cherkaoui, scientific advisor to an American company that is a member of the Portuguese technology company Fusion Fuel Green and Consolidated Contractors (CCC), Morocco will host “the world’s largest green hydrogen and ammonia farm, whose production will be devoted exclusively to export to Europe.”

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