Morocco does not have hydrocarbon production or developed technologies for nuclear power, and had to find its own way to develop its energy resources.
Nesrine RoudanePartner, Head of Office - Morocco
Context
Morocco does not have hydrocarbon production or developed technologies for nuclear power. With its geographical location, its energy interconnections and its exceptional resources of renewable energies Morocco had to find its own way of management and development of its energy resources.
It has therefore made green energy one of its major strategic priorities since the early 2000s and intends to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 52% by 2030.
What are the stakes for Morocco? What are the means implemented to benefit from its local energy resources?
In 2020, Morocco imported 90% of its energy according to the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.
There is therefore an important challenge in terms of the kingdom's energy dependence on other countries.
Creation of dedicated institutions, notably AMEE, MASEN, ONEE and ANRE to support Morocco in long-term projects.
Legal Framework
Law No. 13-09 on renewable energy, promulgated by Dahir No. 1-10-16 of February 11, 2010 (as amended and supplemented by Law 58-15): encourages the development of the sector of renewable energy and allows it to adapt to future technological developments and encourage private initiatives.
The new legislative framework for the renewable energy sector offers, among other things, perspectives for the realization and operation of electrical energy production facilities from renewable energy sources by natural or legal persons, public or private, by underlying the general principles that they must follow, the applicable legal regime including for marketing and export;
Law 47-09 of September 29, 2011 on energy efficiency: encourages the systematic integration of energy efficiency measures in all sectoral development programs, encourages industrial companies to rationalize their energy consumption, to generalize mandatory energy audits, to establish energy efficiency codes specific to different sectors, to promote the development of solar water heaters, to generalize the use of low consumption lamps and equipment adapted to public lighting.
Law No. 39-16 relating to the creation of the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency and Law 16-09 promulgated by Dahir No. 1-10-17 of 26 Safar 1431 (11 February 2010) relating to the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency. Its missions are to implement the governmental policy, aiming at the reduction of the energy dependence, through the promotion of energy efficiency.
Evolution
Reminder: Morocco wants to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 52% by 2030.
The draft law No. 40-19 amending and supplementing the law 13-09 on renewable energy, as amended and supplemented by Law 58-15, has been developed in a framework of consultation with private operators, public institutions and ministerial departments concerned. It aims to improve the legislative and regulatory framework governing the activity of realization of renewable energy projects by the private sector, while ensuring the security and sustainability of the national electricity system and the balance of all its components.
In accordance with the Royal High Directions, new initiatives have emerged in recent years to accelerate our energy and economic transition to a low-carbon model and meet the socio-economic needs of the population. These are in particular:
The adoption of a roadmap for the development of green hydrogen.
The adoption of a roadmap for the energy valorization of biomass.
The development of a roadmap for marine energy.
The development of an integrated program of water desalination plants, supported by renewable energy production units, in order to meet the needs of populations and farmers in drinking water and irrigation.
The program of decarbonation of the national industry by providing all the industrial zones of the Kingdom in renewable energy project cumulating a global capacity of more than 800 MW.
Morocco, largely qualified to play a key role:
Green hydrogen is a technological solution to decabonize industry, especially fertilizer production.
Important logistic infrastructure and an industrial fabric for large-scale deployment of green hydrogen.
Deployment of large-scale renewable energy projects with significant potential for solar and wind power.
Main actions carried out by Morocco:
Setting up of the National Green Hydrogen Commission, bringing together public and private players.
Green Hydrogen Roadmap dated January 2021.
Development of an integrated green ammonia production program, through redeployment of renewable energy.
Preparations for the organization of a major scientific and technological conference dedicated to "Green Hydrogen".
The export orientation must not be at the expense of the local population, otherwise the energy transition would risk losing its legitimacy with the citizens.
Morocco should therefore ensure that its own population benefits first from the hydrogen boom and that the share of renewable energy in the national electricity mix is gradually increased.
The Kingdom has taken into account the importance of renewable energies for a long time and still demonstrates that it is a forerunner in the field by developing new modern sources.
For further information, please contact Nesrine Roudane.
Published in November 2022
