The Solar Energy In Morocco

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there arose a demand for seeking an ‘Alternative Energy Resource’. Europeans are looking to secure green power and this is intense in Morocco. Benefitting from the highest solar radiance compared with any other country, Morocco has become the destination for Solar Energy.

With plenty of sun and land, the kingdom appears to be the perfect place for massive solar power generation projects.

The Moroccan Energy Sector

Morocco is the only North African country without any major fossil fuel reserves. The nation imports almost 90% of its energy requirements. Morocco depends on the import of electricity and fossil fuels to meet the energy demands of people. As economic growth increases gradually, so is the rise in primary energy demand. It increases by 5% per year and faces an increase in electricity demand by 8%, per annum.

The energy sector of Morocco majorly relies on imported hydrocarbons. However, the nation is looking to reduce its dependency on energy imports.

Electricity Generation in Morocco

The electricity generation in Morocco in 2021 was 41 terawatt hours. This is an increased potential compared with the previous year. Over the years, we could notice an upward trend in the generation of electricity in Morocco.

• The energy sector of Morocco is modest but growing.
• As of 2021, the overall installed energy capacity in Morocco is estimated to be 10,630 megawatts.
• When compared with other North African countries such as Egypt and Algeria, the power generation of Morocco has been relatively limited in the past years.
• The Energy indicators for Morocco for the year 2021 imply figures for Energy consumption per capita to be 25.58 million Btu per person and Energy consumption per GDP was 3.13 thousand Btu/USD at purchasing power parties.
• Looking into the data of 2017, over 80% of the electricity of Morocco is contributed by fossil fuels, and renewable energy accounts for the rest. The consumption of energy in 2017 in Morocco was 819,433,637,000 BTU.
• The energy consumption in the nation quadrupled in the period 2000 – 2012.
• Morocco’s Electricity Production data is updated yearly, with an average value of 36,176 GWh, from Dec 2012 to Dec 2021.
• The figure reached an all-time high in Dec 2021 indicating 40,512 GWh. The lowest record was 31,056 GWh in Dec 2012.

How Solar Energy Is Lighting Up The Continent? Know About Its Massive Solar Plant

Recent years are the days when Morocco put hard efforts to diversify its energy mix. There are numerous large-scale solar power plants that were set up in the past years which have aided the continent. Morocco is already well-known as the home to the largest concentrated solar farm in the world.

A few notes about this largest solar energy plant in the world.

• So far, Morocco has done an investment of $5.2 billion in solar projects. And the largest Noor Ouarzazate complex solar farm serves as an example of the great potential of the country in terms of renewable energy.
• Launched with an investment of USD 9 billion
• It is located at the gateway to the Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate.
• Built over an area of 3,000 hectares
• The entire   whole complex can provide 580 megawatts
• This power generation potential can save the earth from more than 760,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Out of the overall generation capacity of 11,000 MW, as of now, Morocco generates 4,030 MW from renewable energy. Since the continent has the major solar power plant, European leaders perceive Morocco as their natural partner.

Besides this popular and biggest solar plant, Morocco is also scoring great on some other renewable projects including wind. Though the nation has missed out on its 2020 target for renewable power capacity by 5%, still, it makes it ready to be back on track to meet the target of 52% by 2030.

The recent signing of a deal by Morocco with the European Union, intended to increase renewable through a “green partnership” is a signal for that. Being the largest energy importer in North Africa, Morocco is best known for its average solar potential of 5 kilowatt hours (kWh) per square meter in a day.

With 3,000 hours of sun in a year, harnessing solar power is truly an evolutionary leap for Morocco. The upcoming years are the period where the solar energy market of the country is expected to expand considerably.

Energy Vision Of Morocco

Morocco has set a goal of getting 52% of its energy from renewable sources, by 2030. The 2009 National Energy Strategy of Morocco aimed to have 42% of overall installed power capacity be renewable energy by 2020. The world’s largest Noor-Ouarzazate complex solar power plant is the major step of this.

Now, the nation has been equipped with the vision of 52% of its entire power capacity to be renewable by 2030. Morocco has the ambition of becoming a pioneer in the renewable energy sector and this goal has driven significant investments in solar energy projects.