Rabat – French energy company Engie is calling for applications from Moroccan start-ups to pitch their innovative energy projects at Engie’s annual Innovation Forum in Casablanca.
Applications are open until 10 June. To be eligible, the projects must provide solutions to Morocco’s energy needs in relation to Smart Cities (energy efficient housing and commercial and industrial buildings), solar pump innovation, digitalization, energy efficiency in industry and tertiary environments and carbon emissions.
Engie will select a number of finalists who will then pitch their project to a jury of energy experts at the Innovation Forum on June 20.
The jury will select up to two winning start-ups. Engie will then provide technical advice to the winning projects, and the possibility for them to test their prototypes and to integrate their projects into Engie’s operations.
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Engie has been in Morocco since 1980, where it works mainly on renewable energy projects. Engie opened the Tarfaya wind farm in 2015, one of the largest in Africa with 131 turbines, and the Safi thermal power station in 2018.
The company is a key player in Morocco’s push towards its clean energy goals. Morocco is aiming for 42% renewable energy usage by 2020 and 52% by 2030.
To promote innovation across its global operations, Engie has set up a MAD 1.8 billion ($186 million) fund called Engie New Ventures to support start-ups working in the energy sector. The fund has so far invested in 20 projects around the world.
Last year, three winners were selected at the Engie Innovation Forum. Eco Oil, which is working to convert plastic waste products into petrol, Valdechets Orient, a sustainability consulting company, and Bluebinet, a water-saving tap technology company.
