Rabat – On a visit to the Ministry of Energy in Rabat, US Congressman Frank Pallone said he is impressed by Morocco’s progress in renewable energies.
Pallone, who is also the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, is leading a congressional delegation which arrived in Rabat as part of the US-Morocco determination to strengthen bilateral relations in different areas.
Pallone told reporters following a meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on Monday, August 5, that he was impressed by Morocco’s progress in renewable energies. He also expressed his country’s wish to develop cooperation in the renewable energy sector.
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“Yesterday [Sunday, August 4], we went to the Ministry of Energy, and we were very impressed because Morocco produces more than 30 % of its energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind power,” said the Congressman.
The North African country is determined to reinforce the sector with a commitment to position itself as a leader in the renewable energies sector.
In February, CNN reported that Morocco is well on track to hit its target to generate 42% of its electricity from renewable energies by 2020.
With a solar power plant of magnitude – Noor-Ouarzazate complex- Morocco produced 35 % of its electricity output from renewable energy sources by the end of 2018, Minister of Energy Aziz Rabbah said in January.
North African country seeks to expand its production rate to 52 % of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
CNN noted that the Noor-Ouarzazate complex, produces enough electricity to power a city the size of Prague, or twice the size of Marrakech
The Ministry of Energy believes that the state will invest $40 billion in the energy sector by 2030.
During Pallone’smeeting with Bourita, the two officials discussed means to “step up bilateral military and trade cooperation,” according to the Congressman.
Morocco and the US already share strong ties, with several military and trade agreements on the table.
The US remains Morocco’s largest supplier of arms. Morocco and the US also signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on June 15, 2004, which came into effect on January 1, 2006.
The US congressman recalled that Morocco, a powerful ally of the US is the only African country to sign the FTA with the US administration.
