Morocco, US Explore Energy Cooperation at CERAWeek Houston
Doha – Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, met with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Tuesday in Houston, Texas, discussing enhanced cooperation opportunities in energy and strategic bilateral investments.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of CERAWeek 2025, one of the world's top five corporate leader conferences, which is being held in Houston from March 10-14 under the theme 'Moving Ahead: Energy strategies for a complex world.'
'In Houston, on the margins of @CERAWeek, Minister Leila Benali held a constructive meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary @SecretaryWright, exploring valuable opportunities for enhanced cooperation in #energy and strategic bilateral investments,' Morocco's ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, posted on X.
'#Africa was a key focus, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusive prosperity and the continent's energy security,' he added.
During the conference, Benali highlighted Morocco's Atlantic Corridor initiative. Ambassador Amrani detailed the initiative's scope on X: 'At #CERAWeek in Houston, Minister Leila Benali highlighted Morocco's Atlantic Corridor initiative, a strategic project enhancing energy connectivity between #Africa, #Europe, and the #Atlantic basin.'
'With Africa's 400 million consumers in focus, the initiative underscores the importance of energy accessibility as a driver of homegrown development and stronger capacities for win-win cooperation with international partners,' he continued.
Last week, the steering committee of 'Morocco's Green Hydrogen Offer,' chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, selected several international investors for projects valued at MAD 319 billion ($31.9 billion).
Among these, the American firm Ortus, part of the ORNX consortium with Spain's Acciona and Germany's Nordex, was chosen for an ammonia production project in the Sahara.
According to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the country's electricity production in 2022 came from various sources: coal (37.25%), hydroelectricity (16.70%), natural gas (17.72%), wind (13.48%), solar (7.82%), and fuel oil (7.03%).
The North African country currently imports approximately 90% of its energy needs, but aims to increase its energy security by reducing import dependence. As of late 2022, renewable energy accounted for 38% of the electrical capacity mix, reaching 4,154 MW, placing Morocco among the top five African countries in renewable energy capacity.
CERAWeek 2025, chaired by American author and S&P chairman Daniel Yergin, has brought together over 450 C-Suite executives, 80 ministers and top officials, and 325 media representatives, with more than 10,000 participants from over 2,050 companies across 80 countries.
The conference focuses on challenges in energy security, supply, climate ambitions, markets, infrastructure, policy directions, and technological advances, including AI.
Read also: US, Morocco Advance Strategic Partnership Under Trump Administration Tags: CERAWeekMorocco US Relations
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