Morocco to Double Power Capacity by 2030 Ahead of World Cup

Doha – Morocco plans to more than double its power generation capacity by 2030 when it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup. Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali announced the ambitious expansion during a chemical industry forum in Rabat on Wednesday.

According to Bloomberg, renewable sources will make up 80% of the increase to 27 gigawatts from the current 12 gigawatts. The expansion will cost MAD 120 billion ($13 billion) through public and private investment.

The North African country will host football’s top tournament alongside Spain and Portugal.

However, Morocco’s limited fossil fuel reserves, coupled with mounting water challenges driven by climate change and recurring droughts, make early preparation essential.

The largest private investment deal in Morocco’s history

The government signed agreements this week binding the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) to a consortium of financial titans: the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, TAQA Morocco (the local subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s energy colossus), and Nareva (the energy arm of the royal holding Al Mada).

The historic megadeal represents the largest private investment in Morocco’s modern history.

The partnership includes a 1,400-kilometer high-voltage transmission corridor from Dakhla to Casablanca. Four seawater desalination facilities will be built with a combined annual capacity of 900 million cubic meters.

The desalination plants will operate exclusively on renewable energy at a competitive pricing of MAD 4.5 per cubic meter or below.

“For the first time, industry operators have access to unlimited amount of energy at the most competitive prices,” Industry Minister Ryad Mezzour said.

The UAE partnership projects will also create over 25,000 jobs, with 10,000 permanent positions after commissioning.

The country targets contributing 4% of global green hydrogen production by 2030. Chakib El Alj, head of the main business lobby group CGEM, confirmed this projection.

State-controlled OCP SA plans to produce 3 million tons of green ammonia in 2027. This would make it the world’s largest producer of carbon-free fertilizer, according to manufacturing executive Ahmed Mahrou.

Renewable energy at the forefront

More than 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects have been authorized under the current government. These projects represent an investment of over MAD 19 billion ($1.9 billion) and have generated over 300 direct jobs plus thousands of indirect positions.

The government is accelerating plans to harness the wind and solar energy potential. This includes projects in its southern provinces in the Western Sahara to boost water desalination capacity and attract foreign investment in the green economy.

Morocco’s energy efficiency approach aims for 20% energy savings by 2030. The strategy considers objectives within the country’s sustainable development plan and targets transport, construction, industry, agriculture, and lighting sectors.

Additionally, the country aims to generate 52% of its energy from clean renewable sources by 2030. Morocco has launched an initiative rewarding citizens who achieve energy savings, leading to 3% decrease in consumption.

The government expects energy efficiency measures to create 100,000 jobs by 2030. Energy savings of 6.58% were recorded in 2020 alone.

Morocco will invest MAD 30 billion ($3 billion) in upgrading its national electricity grid by 2030. This investment excludes an important 3-gigawatt power link connecting the southern and central regions.

The government is allowing private sector participation in the electricity network when necessary. This marks the first time authorities opened the door to private grid investments.

Over 9 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity will be added between 2023 and 2027, with an estimated investment of MAD 90 billion ($9 billion). The government aims to quadruple annual renewable energy investments.

Current renewable energy capacity stands at 5.4 gigawatts, supplying nearly 20% of electricity demand. Morocco has invested in renewable energy for fifteen years, which now covers 38% of electricity needs.

The Noor Ouarzazate complex produces around 580 megawatts and ranks among the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants. These strategic efforts align with King Mohammed VI’s directives to accelerate Morocco’s energy transition.