Rabat – Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and British oil and gas company Shell have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to investigate potential opportunities for low carbon fuels in Morocco.
The two parties will work together to analyze available feedstocks in Morocco for their potential to be converted into low carbon fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), indicated a press release.
The research team will also evaluate the feasibility of developing technological solutions for SAF and other products based on the availability of feedstock data.
Rida Sabri, Deputy CEO of Shell’s EcoOils, said that the MoU “aims to explore the feasibility of innovative waste feedstocks for the potential production and supply of low-carbon fuels (LCF), such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Ultimately, the partnership seeks to reduce carbon emissions from transportation and to contribute to the global energy transition, Sabri indicated, noting that it builds on previous joint efforts between UM6P and Shell, including the Green Hydrogen/ammonia pilot project.
For his part, Innovate for Industry Director at UM6P Mohamed Bousseta highlighted the importance of low carbon fuels in the future energy mix, expressing his pride in collaborating with Shell to develop low carbon products in Morocco.
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“We observe an acceleration of the energy transition worldwide to reduce GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions, low carbon fuels will be an important part of the future energy mix,” Bousseta said.
In recent years, Shell, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, has made significant efforts to invest in low-carbon fuels and technologies. It has set a target to become a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050, in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
“Shell is committed to producing and supplying low carbon fuels (LCF) such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), biodiesel, bioethanol and renewable compressed natural gas (R-CNG), to help lower carbon emissions from transportation,” indicated the company’s website.
To achieve these goals, Shell has been collaborating with international partners, as well as investing in a range of low-carbon technologies and fuels, including renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, and biofuels.
Likewise, UM6P has undertaken several efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions. One of their initiatives is the Green Energy Park (GEP), a research and innovation platform that focuses on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.
In addition, the university has established partnerships with several industry players, including Masen (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen).
