Morocco Unveils Ambitious Energy Transition Plan for 2030-2050

Since September 2019, the CESE has taken the issue of the energy transition head-on. The council aims to build scenarios for 2030, 2040 and 2050. With the support of national experts, it has heard 63 specialists from the sector and stakeholders: government departments, MASEN, ONEE, IRESEN, AMEE, OCP and CGEM. The CESE opinion indicates that Morocco has always maintained a consumption generally in line with its level of development.

In 2019, hydrocarbons mainly used for transport dominate the energy mix with 52%, followed by coal (33%) for electricity production. The costs of renewable energies are now the most competitive, the same source affirms. In 2015, the latest wind power tenders in Morocco were awarded at 0.30 dirhams/kWh, while in the photovoltaic sector, the latest tender in the Middle East region was awarded at a rate equivalent to 0.13 dirhams/kWh under similar conditions to those of the kingdom, it is recalled.

The council is convinced that Morocco can go from an energy dependence of nearly 88% today to 35% in 2040 and less than 17% in 2050. As for the average cost of electricity on the grid, it would decrease from 0.79 dirhams/kWh today to 0.61 dirhams/kWh in 2040 and 0.48 dirhams/kWh in 2050.

To achieve these objectives, the institution proposes a battery of measures. It also recommends the gradual transformation of mobility, which represents 40% of the current total energy consumption, to maximize the use of sustainable public transport and electric cars and implement a coordinated policy for energy efficiency.