Rabat – As Morocco continues its journey to shift to using greener energy, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company TAQA has announced it will invest $1.6 billion in the country’s green energy projects by 2030, converging reports have detailed.
One of the projects includes creating a seawater desalination facility to help resolve water supply issues. The news of the plan aligns with Moroccan Minister Nizar Baraka’s latest announcement of Morocco’s plans to use “conventional and unconventional” water sources, in a bid to combat the ongoing drought and reach water security by 2023.
During a press conference on Tuesday in Casablanca, TAQA’s Chairman, Abdul Majeed Eraqi, explained that there will be 1,000 Megawatts (MW) of renewables added to Morocco’s energy mix. The strategy aims to reduce Morocco’s carbon footprint by 25%.
Solar energy was also factored into the plan, as TAQA won five lots in Morocco’s solar program Noor PV II last year, which has the potential to host 96 MW of solar power.
With regards to other types of renewables, TAQA’s chairman noted that the Abu Dhabi-based company is looking for appropriate destinations in Morocco to install 200 MW of wind turbines. TAQA already has 100 MW in northern Morocco.
The sizable investment could play a great part in Morocco’s pledge to a greener future, as the country seeks to have 52% renewable energy by 2030.
While TAQA was known in the past as one of the biggest coal-reliant energy companies in Africa and the Middle East, the company has been shifting its focus and diversifying into renewable solutions.
The company, which was founded in 1977, noted that its Morocco branch hosts 19% of the installed capacity in the North African country and provides 38% of its electricity needs.
According to TAQA’s official website, the group “supplies Morocco with electricity at optimized costs, whilst respecting the environment to create sustainable and shared value.”
