Rabat intends to continue its energy transition project by mobilising an international investment of 14.5 billion dirhams for wind energy production

Marruecos planea atraer una inversión de 1.400 millones de euros para su plan de energía eólica

photo_camera PHOTO - Wind farm in Tangier, Morocco

Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced its intention to attract €1.4 billion in global investment to finance its wind energy project. This plan is part of Rabat's strategy to transition to sustainable energy in the coming years. 

Morocco is considered a model of sustainable development by various international institutions and organisations. In fact, according to the daily Alarab, the World Economic Forum ranked the North African nation number 3 in the ranking of Arab countries with the most efficient energy transition in 2021. Globally, it is ranked 66th.

However, one of the main challenges facing the country is its growing energy demand. According to World Bank data, per capita oil equivalent consumption was 0.5 tonnes in 2014. By the end of this decade, it is estimated that this amount will rise to 1.1 tonnes; a level very close to that of Western countries.

Marruecos energía eólica

However, Morocco currently imports nearly 90% of the energy it consumes, which represents an expenditure of 3% of GDP. Thus, the increase in energy demand has meant an increase of more than 38% in energy imports for the country in the first nine months of 2021 alone, as reported by the Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

Thus, this project focused on wind energy not only represents a commitment to non-polluting energies, but will also reduce Rabat's energy dependence. 

The information contained in the tweet from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reflect the number of new projects Morocco intends to implement to produce wind energy. However, the publication did indicate that, by 2024, the newly created wind farms would be fully operational. In addition, the projects in the current programme include the wind farms of Midelt (capable of producing 180 megawatts), Tiskrad (100 MW), Tangier (70 MW), Jbel Hdid (200 MW) and Bouidour (300 MW), according to the publication.

Today, Morocco is already one of the pioneers in renewable energy production in the region, with a share of green electricity amounting to 37% of the energy mix and a production capacity of almost 4,000 MW of sustainable energy. However, the country's energy projects are far more ambitious. By 2030 Rabat hopes to increase the share of clean electricity to 52% and to be able to produce 6000 MW of renewable energy. This target is planned to be achieved through the use of various sources; wind, hydro and solar, as exemplified by the Noor 1 plant, part of the Noor Ouarzazate solar energy production plan.

Marruecos energía eólica

The North African country's energy transition project has also been extended to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), where the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, defended Morocco's sustainability strategy. The Prime Minister said that the country currently has 50 renewable energy projects underway, and that another 60 are under development or implementation. 

In addition, in the framework of diplomatic relations for sustainability, Akhannouch met with the United Arab Emirates' climate envoy. A few days ago, the Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, also met with the Colombian Vice-President and Foreign Minister, Marta Lucía Ramírez, to promote the international exchange of experiences, according to the official website of the Colombian Foreign Ministry.

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