Morocco Plans Africa’s First Green Hydrogen Power Plant in Landmark Project

ONEE, Nareva and GE Renova have signed a memorandum of understanding for the decarbonization of the 99 MW fuel-fired power plant in Laâyoune, which is powered by three high-performance GE Vernova 6B gas turbines, through its conversion to green hydrogen. To achieve this, these companies will jointly undertake technical and economic evaluation studies lasting two years. "GE Vernova will help the Laâyoune power plant to provide electricity produced from 100% green hydrogen produced at the Nareva wind farm in Laâyoune, in order to support the expansion of installed renewable energy capacity in Morocco, from its current share of 40% to 52% by 2030," the three companies said in a statement.

If they succeed in this project, the power plant will be the first in Africa to use green hydrogen to power GE Vernova 6B gas turbines. This joint project is part of efforts to support Morocco’s energy transition towards a low-carbon future, particularly in the electricity generation sector. "Morocco is strengthening its position among the world leaders in sustainable energy, with ambitious low-carbon energy projects. The current installed capacity of renewable sources is 4,672 MW. As for the projects under development or construction throughout the country, they total an installed capacity of 5,065 MW," said El Hafidi Abderrahim, CEO of ONEE. According to his explanations, the project should allow Morocco to make progress on the decarbonization of its electricity system by launching a first pilot and innovative project to decarbonize a heavy fuel oil-fired power plant.

"This agreement is an important step in paving the way for the acceleration of the integration of hydrogen into the national energy mix, thus reducing both dependence on conventional energies and greenhouse gas emissions," he added.