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Rabat – On Thursday, October 30, the Imal Initiative for Climate and Development presented an analytical report in Rabat on the potential that renewable decentralized energy systems have in Morocco. The presentation at Tour Hassan Palace hotel addressed the promising potential Morocco has in scaling the production of this green electricity. The report was delivered by Imal co-founders Rachid Ennassiri and Iskander Erzini Vernoit, as well as Imal’s senior associate Anas Hmimad.
In the opening speech, Erzini Vernoit stated that this report is a result of the culmination of more than a year of research, analysis, and consultation. It reflects the latest global advancements in thinking about energy systems and technologies, particularly given the incredible cost reductions observed in the photovoltaic and battery sectors over the past 15 years. The founder added that these efforts are part of the commitments outlined in Morocco’s New Development Model, as well as the country’s strategic focus on decentralized energy.
In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Erzini Vernoit talked about the importance of today’s event. “Today’s report launch was a success, bringing together key stakeholders from the public sector, private sector, and civil society, as well as international partners, to focus on the important topic of decentralized renewable energy systems in Morocco.”
The co-founder continued: “As part of the report’s dissemination process, next steps will include co-hosting similar multi-stakeholder engagement events in each of Morocco’s 12 regions, involving local actors.”
After the opening speech, the Imal executives formally presented their work: an assessment of the technical, economic, and social potential of decentralized renewable energy systems in Morocco. It targeted the estimation of the solar potential of rooftops by region, installation costs, environmental benefits, and synergies with other technologies such as energy storage, electric vehicles, and smart digital tools.
A panel of experts and practitioners followed, including insights from Nasma Jrondi, Senior Expert and Consultant in Sustainable Development, Climate & Energy Transition, Hassan Nait Bella, General Director and a Senior Consultant at Energy Handle, as well as Abderrahim Ksiri, Coordinator of the AMCDD (Alliance Marocaine pour le Climate et le Développement Durable) and the President of AESVT Maroc (Association des Enseignants des Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre). Anas Hmimad, a senior associate at Imal, also contributed to the discussion.
The panel provided extended details about the findings of the report and an analytical assessment of how an initiative in Morocco. The experts addressed various scenarios, highlighting the current Moroccan context in the field of energy and innovation. The panel circulated around the obstacles and challenges facing the implementation of such projects, emphasizing on the lack of the financial support, expertise, resources, and innovative technologies.
