CNN Highlights Morocco’s Solar Energy Leadership, Aiming for 52% Renewables by 2030

"Morocco is undoubtedly a leader in renewable energy," says Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, quoted by CNN Business. Based on the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), CNN reports that "solar energy already covers 35% of the Kingdom’s electricity needs, which intends to increase its use of renewable energies to 52% by 2030".

One of the interests of the CNN report was above all to highlight the impact of the Moroccan experience on the beneficiary populations. Indeed, a prime example was explored by the channel, which went to touch the reality on the ground. This is the experience of the small village of Id Mjahdi, in the Essaouira region, presented as the first village in Africa to be entirely powered by solar energy. In its report, the American channel states that the example of this Moroccan village is unique and represents a real model in terms of powering remote villages.

Thanks to the power plant composed of 32 photovoltaic solar panels producing 8.32 kilowatts of electricity for distribution via a mini-grid, each house in Id Mjahdi is equipped with a refrigerator, a water heater, a television set, an oven and a socket to charge devices, CNN describes. A model that the Moroccan non-profit association Cluster Solaire, which supports green technology companies, intends to reproduce in several other villages.

At the COP 25 conference in Madrid, Fatima El Khalifa, a representative of Cluster Solaire, presented a financing project to build several other solar villages. According to this Moroccan association, the future lies in solar energy and more villages similar to Id Mjahdi need to be built.