Morocco Offers to Help UK Reduce Dependence on Russian Energy

Kwasi Kwarteng, UK Minister of Business and Energy, had announced on Twitter that the UK would stop importing Russian crude oil and petroleum products by the end of 2022. The country imports 5% of Russian gas. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a new energy strategy in the coming weeks. "It’s time to get off Putin’s hydrocarbons. We can do it. It will be tough but it will be worth it," he tweeted. "We must work with partners around the world to help stabilize global energy markets, massively invest in renewable technologies and protect British consumers. This is how we can resist Putin’s blackmail," he added.

According to Ali Seddiki, a senior official at the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), Morocco could help the UK achieve its goal. "As a giant of renewable energies, Morocco has an "enormous potential" to supply its renewable resources to the United Kingdom, he told Express.co.uk. "Morocco has abundant resources and we are working on it because we are using these renewable energies to currently power our economy and industry. Morocco is among the top five most cost-effective renewable energy producers," he added.

The official also said that Morocco and the UK are considering further developing their partnership in the renewable energy sector. "The partnership with the UK on renewable resources has been going on for years. We have worked on joint programs to prepare for COP26 and we have seen how British companies can invest," he said.