Akhannouch: «Under the impetus of His Majesty the King, Morocco has undertaken a profound energy transformation »

Since the beginning of the reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has embarked on a deep, progressive, and sustainable energy transformation, stated Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch on Wednesday in Ouarzazate.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Akhannouch emphasized that the Kingdom has invested in solar, wind, hydroelectric power, and more recently, green hydrogen, in addition to creating strong institutions and strengthening governance capacities.

He praised the significant work and major role of institutions such as the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), and others in the sector’s exceptional momentum.

Morocco has also engaged leading international partners, notably France, by strategically opening this high-potential sector to private investment, Akhannouch added.

He mentioned his visit on Wednesday to the Noor complex in Ouarzazate, noting that its four plants are operational and commending all actors and teams for their remarkable mobilization and constant commitment.

Akhannouch also expressed the wish «to go even further, with more concrete integration of renewable energies in our production, transport, housing, and agriculture systems, and a generalization of low-carbon solutions in our cities, industries, and rural areas ».

He stressed that the emergence of breakthrough technologies must be fully seized, specifying that green hydrogen, in particular, represents a historic opportunity for Morocco.

In this regard, he noted that the «Morocco Offer » for the development of the green hydrogen sector, currently being implemented according to the High Royal Guidelines, builds on 15 years of experience in renewable energy development and over 30 years of openness to private investment in the energy sector.

Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Energy-Water Nexus is becoming a major concern and real challenge for many countries, noting that synergy between water and energy policies is now essential, requiring an integrated, territorialized, and multisectoral approach involving technical engineering, economic intelligence, scientific research, and citizen participation.

«The water stress Morocco has experienced over the past seven years requires a complete overhaul of our water policy », he observed, stressing the need to integrate innovation throughout the water sector value chain, from resource research and mobilization to distribution and reuse.

Given the worsening effects of climate change on water resources and the growing demand for water, Morocco has committed, in line with the High Royal Guidelines, to a large-scale desalination program.

He noted that powering desalination plants with renewable energy achieves two key objectives: reducing the carbon footprint of desalination units and the cost per cubic meter of desalinated water, as seen in the ongoing Dakhla desalination project.

«Our national energy transition is based on a forward-looking vision that makes renewable energy a fundamental pillar of our development, energy sovereignty, and transition to a low-carbon economy », Akhannouch said.

He pointed out that these efforts cannot bear fruit without a renewed governance framework, greater openness to national and international private investment, and clear, stable, and predictable regulation.

This is the context for the comprehensive energy sector reform launched by the government in full coherence with the High Royal Directives, aiming to strengthen sector competitiveness, enhance local resources, and make Morocco a regional platform for energy production and exchange.

Under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, Morocco will continue, with determination, its path toward low-carbon, fair, and sustainable development, strengthening its partnerships and establishing itself as a force for proposals and solutions at regional and international levels, Akhannouch added.

Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this major event is organized by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Energy Federation, MASEN, and the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN).