Energy
From The Report: Morocco 2016
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In recent years Morocco has been working to reduce its energy dependency through renewable energy projects and the rollout of an ambitious oil and gas exploration programme. Its energy consumption has increased by 5-6% a year for the past 25 years, and demand is expected to quintuple by 2050. Though it possesses few oil and gas reserves, Morocco boasts strong potential in renewable energies, and is expected to use the next climate change conference, which it will host in November 2016, as a springboard for its ambitious plan to source 42% of its energy needs from renewables by 2020. Having successfully introduced renewables into its energy mix by developing several wind farms and its first solar plant in Ouarzazate, the country is now looking to share expertise by offering to cooperate on renewable energy projects in neighbouring countries.

This chapter contains interviews with Mohamad Abunayyan, Chairman, ACWA Power; and Isabelle Kocher, CEO, Engie.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Preparing for the future: Ambitious renewables projects should reshape the energy landscape
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In recent years, Morocco has been working to reduce its energy dependency via the implementation of renewable energy projects and the rollout of an ambitious oil and gas exploration programme. Morocco, which has experienced a steady increase in energy consumption of about 5-6% every year over the past 25 years, is expected to see its demand quintuple by 2050. Although it is has little oil and gas reserves, Morocco boasts strong potential in renewable energies. It has the potential to produce 6000…

Interview

A bright future: OBG talks to Mohamad Abunayyan, Chairman, ACWA Power
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Interview:Mohamad Abunayyan How do you see technologies related to solar energy improving in the near future? MOHAMAD ABUNAYYAN: Energy storage can be improved through innovation and development of the relevant technologies. With regard to concentrated solar power, the use of molten salt has been enhanced through the evolution of solar tower technology. Storage capacities are constantly improving as well. Today, we operate the world’s biggest storage facility in South Africa, which has…

Interview

Making it happen: OBG talks to Isabelle Kocher, CEO, Engie
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Interview:Isabelle Kocher To what extent might off-grid solutions improve rural electrification rates in Africa? ISABELLE KOCHER: African countries are very different from one another in terms of geography and economy. Some are already entirely electrified, but in many countries rural populations have little or no access to electricity. Electrification of remote rural areas based on centralised generation (grid connected) would be too expensive and would require a very heavy investment in…

Analysis

Pumped up: Hydropower plays an increasingly significant role in the renewables segment
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With an installed capacity of about 1770 MW, hydro-power plays a key role in Morocco’s energy mix, contributing 22% of its power generation. The implementation of the energy development strategy in 2008 has led to a modest but progressive increase in capacity. This will continue through 2020 under the framework of public-private partnerships. Overview Morocco has long opted for the development of electric power dams. Indeed, King Hassan II had called for a new dam to be built every year. Today…

Analysis

Brighter days: A government-sponsored plan to boost solar power has made great strides in recent years
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In 2009 Morocco launched its solar plan as part of its ambitions to generate 42% of its energy from renewables by 2020, with 14% coming from solar. The first outcome of this plan was the completion of Noor I, the world’s largest solar energy project, in Ouarzazate in February 2016. Authorities are now looking to build on this success and further increase solar capacity by identifying new areas for the development of similar large-scale solar stations across the kingdom. Governance The Morocco…

Analysis

Wind rising: Major projects have put Morocco on the map for wind energy
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With an installed capacity of approximately 800 MW in 2015, Morocco represents the third-largest African market for wind energy behind South Africa (1053 MW) and Egypt (810 MW). As part of Morocco’s ambition to attain 42% of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2020, in recent years authorities have accelerated the development of large-scale wind farms across the kingdom by increasing the focus on private investment. History In Morocco, the early developments of wind farms date…