Renewable energy in Morocco

1. Introduction to renewables sector

Morocco's high levels of sunshine and wind power potential, along with its proximity to Europe, offer an attractive environment for developing renewable energies and reducing dependence on fossil fuels for power generation. 

The development of renewable energies in Morocco is in line with both the national energy policy and the long-term objectives of 2020-2050, which complies with the Moroccan government's international commitments.  

As part of its national strategy, Morocco intends to achieve a power generation capacity of 24,800 MW by 2030. Another aim is to have renewable energies account for 52% of this capacity which currently represents 43% of power generation capacity in 2020. 

In order to promote the deployment of renewable energies, Morocco has adopted a strategy based on three pillars. The first is the promulgation of laws and regulations that favour the development and expansion of renewable energies for power generation. Evidence of this strategy can be seen through existing legislation such as Law 13-09 and the reform of fossil fuel subsidies. 

The second is the creation of bodies with the capacity and capability to manage, supervise and promote renewable energy projects and programs. There are currently a number of bodies in Morocco looking to accelerate growth in the renewable energy sector, these include the Agency for the Development of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (ADEREE), the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), the Energy Investment Company (SIE), the Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), and the University Network for the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REUNET). 

The third pillar aims to implement projects and financial investments that can build the necessary equipment for renewable energies (solar energy projects, wind and water power projects). For this reason, we will highlight key projects that have been implemented in recent years. 

2. Development 1: Solar and Wind power 

Morocco have made remarkable progress in the renewable energy sector. In the case of solar energy, it has constructed the Noor-Ouarzazate complex, with a capacity of 580MW between four power plants. The complex is one of the largest solar parks in the world, covering an area of 3,000 hectares. The complex uses Morocco’s high levels of sunshine to its advantage, concentrating sun rays in fluid tubes, the hot liquid is then used to generate energy. 

Another key project is the Noor Atlas project which has a capacity of 200MW. The Noor Atlas programme consists of developing eight solar photovoltaic power plants with a capacity of 30 to 40MW each with the aim of securing the country's electricity supply. The Noor Tafilalet project was completed in 2021 with a total capacity of 120MW. This project focuses on the development of three solar photovoltaic power plants with each having a capacity of 40MW. 

Wind energy contributes 11.5% of the electricity generated in Morocco, with installed capacity of approximately 1,430MW in 2020. The integrated 1,000 MW wind energy program, with a total investment of around 14.5 billion DH, will be fully commissioned by 2024. The project is part of the renewable energy strategy aimed at achieving a share of over 52% of renewable energy in total power generation capacity by 2030. This project is currently comprised of 5 wind farms in regions with significant wind energy potential. This project is separated into two phases: the first concerns the construction of the 150 MW Taza wind farm. The second phase involves the 850 MW Integrated Wind Project, which is comprised of four different locations. Commissioning is scheduled for 2024. 

3. Development 2: Hydrogen production

Another way Morocco is looking to strengthen its renewable energy sector, and remove its dependence on external energy sources, is through the implementation of green hydrogen production.  

In September 2022, Morocco launched its first green hydrogen production system. This project is the result of a joint initiative between IRESEN and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P).  

This system is part of the Power-To-X project, which consists of a 20kW electrolysis unit coupled to photovoltaic solar panels. This first electrolyser will be tested under a variable renewable electricity load, and the "Power-to-X µPilot" project will be equipped in its next phases with additional technological building bricks from the green hydrogen value chain and its applications, generally referred to as the "Power-To-X" chain. 

The "Power-to-X µPilot" project is located at Ben Guerir's Green Energy Park, and focuses on the production of green ammonia, green methanol and green fuels, as well as other aspects such as sustainable mobility and renewable electricity storage, using hydrogen and fuel cells. 

We underline that, the construction of the first green hydrogen plant coincided with the signing of a green partnership between Morocco and the European Union, aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of renewable energies. 

4. Development 3: Hydroelectric power

Hydroelectric power is considered a traditional component of the Moroccan power plant fleet with a total capacity of 1,770MW installed in 2020. In Morocco, dams are often used for irrigation, and are also used to generate electricity when there is a surplus of dam capacity. New hydroelectric capacity under construction or planned is helping to stabilise the electricity production fleet.  

With regard to hydroelectric projects, there are plans to install 350MW at the Abdelmoumen pumped-storage power station (STEP), located around 70 km northeast of the city of Agadir in the province of Taroudant. This station reinforces the Afourer station, developed in 2018, with a capacity of 464MW.  

The project was carried out by the French company Vinci Construction - as part of a consortium - following an international call for tenders issued by the contracting authority, National Electricity and Water Board (ONEE). The purpose is to contribute to meeting electricity demand during peak periods, to promote renewable energies through optimal placement, and to improve the stability of the power system and mitigate the impact of the intermittency of renewable energies.  

The Abdelmoumen STEP is based on pump-turbine technology, with reversible turbines pumping water into storage basins when energy requirements are low. This water is later used to generate electricity when the demand is high. 

This STEP will be equipped with several facilities, starting with an upper and a lower water storage basin, each with a useful volume of 1,300,000 m3. In addition, there will be a water circuit of some 3 km, including a penstock, linking the two basins, and feeding the plant, as well as a plant housing two 175 MW reversible power units. Finally, the STEP will also include an extra-high-voltage outdoor evacuation substation, as well as access roads with a total length of over 20 km. 

Portrait ofRachida Charifi
Rachida Charifi
Conseil juridique senior - Head of corporate
Casablanca