Meknes – In a significant development for energy cooperation between Morocco and France, Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali chaired a high-level virtual meeting on Wednesday to review progress on the powerline project between the two countries.
The meeting focused on technical and economic studies related to the ambitious cross-continental power link.
Officials pointed to the vital role of data exchange mechanisms in implementing the project, which aims to serve as a strategic lever for energy security and power system integration.
Discussions revolved around the vital importance of close institutional cooperation among stakeholders to boost the strategic partnership foundation and ensure a transparent, efficient exchange of technical information. Participants unanimously agreed these measures would accelerate project implementation.
This strategic partnership extends beyond the power link project to cover renewable energy development, low-carbon hydrogen production, energy storage, and other areas, aiming to foster cooperation on energy transition and connect the two countries’ energy sectors.
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This meeting represents a key milestone in activating the strategic energy cooperation partnership signed between Morocco and France on October 28, 2024, in the presence of King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron.
By signing several partnerships, both countries have reinforced their shared vision for a green future and sustainable energy solutions, including agreements with TotalEnergies and Safran, as well as a memorandum between Morocco’s OCP and the French Development Agency (AFD) on decarbonization.
Through these initiatives, they aim to cement their positions as regional and international hubs for energy transition, creating a model for cross-continental cooperation in sustainable development and energy security.
Notable attendees included Gérard Mestrallet, Special Envoy of French President Emmanuel Macron, and Xavier Piechaczyk, Chairman of the Executive Board of France’s Transmission System Operator (RTE).
Representatives from the French Embassy in Rabat, Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), and the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) also participated.
