Morocco Loses $130 Million Annually to Electricity Theft, Minister Reports

Electricity theft costs Morocco 1.2 billion dirhams each year, he said. The minister said that Morocco recorded a 6.6% drop in electricity production between January and July 2020. According to the minister’s explanations, this deficit is due to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the sector, with a drop in demand. As for sales, they fell by 4% at the end of July, he added.

An amount of 50 billion dirhams ($5.4 billion) will be invested in renewable energy production projects, and 53 billion dirhams ($5.8 billion) in ongoing projects. At the same time, Rabbah’s department has allocated 30 billion dirhams to boost the electricity transmission network, including 2.4 billion dirhams to extend the project to the southern city of Dakhla.

According to the minister, the sector is doing rather well. The contribution of renewable resources to Morocco’s electricity production stands at 37%. Electricity exports, for their part, amounted to 600 million dirhams in 2019. In 2009, the kingdom had launched an energy strategy after recording a 15% electricity deficit previously. This strategy has resulted in a current electricity surplus of 20%. Mr. Rabbah also hinted that Morocco had around 600 companies operating in renewable energies.