Latest news with #Attaqa
Morocco World
09-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Pursues Major Wind Energy Projects in Southern Provinces
Rabat — Morocco is looking forward to speeding up the process of increasing the renewable energy share to 52%. The North African country is in negotiations with several Emirati companies to launch wind energy projects in its southern provinces in Western Sahara, according to Attaqa, a specialized energy platform based in Washington. As part of its ambitious plan to increase renewable energy's share to 52% by 2030, Rabat is reportedly negotiating the wind energy projects with Emirati companies, including Masdar, AMEA Power, and Taqa. Attaqa has indicated that the expected investments for wind energy projects in Morocco's southern provinces in Western Sahara, currently under negotiation, range between $8 billion and $10 billion, with a production capacity reaching 5,000 megawatts. Morocco's southern provinces boast unique potential that makes them ideal for hosting wind energy projects, with wind speeds reaching 8.4 meters per second, providing perfect conditions for installing wind turbines. Wind energy in Morocco's Sahara region Wind energy projects in southern provinces in the Western Sahara region in southern Morocco have attracted massive investments since 2015, the platform said, adding that this reflects the country's interest in expanding clean electricity projects to reduce fuel import costs needed to operate thermal power plants. Renewable energy projects in the southern provinces form an essential part of Morocco's clean energy supply and represent the key element for meeting the country's commitment to reach 52% of the electricity mix by 2030. Wind farm project sites insouthern provinces in Western Sahara also benefit from their distance from the main populated areas, which means they don't face problems related to population displacement. According to the specialized energy platform database, Morocco's southern provinces in Western Sahara currently hosts four operational wind stations that support the country's electricity grid with approximately 750 megawatts per hour. Four wind farms currently operate in the southern provinces with a total capacity of 750 megawatts, namely in Tarfaya (300 megawatts), Aftissat (200 megawatts), Laayoune (50 megawatts), and Akhfenir (200 megawatts). Attaqa added that work continues developing two additional wind stations in Morocco's southern provinces in Western Sahara, aimed at adding 400 megawatts to the country's electricity grid in the coming months, specifically in Boujdour (300 megawatts) and Tiskrad (100 megawatts). Renewable energy projects in Morocco According to the report, Emirati companies seek to secure a share of renewable energy projects in Morocco, particularly wind energy, which has recorded significant growth in recent years. In February this year, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition Leila Benali said the country's wind energy capacity reached 2,373 megawatts by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, wind energy's share of Morocco's electricity mix jumped to 21.23% in 2024, compared to 15.4% in 2023, according to the latest available data from Attaqa. On May 20, a Moroccan-Emirati consortium announced signing investment agreements with the Moroccan government worth approximately $14 billion to implement several projects, particularly infrastructure for producing and transmitting electricity from renewable sources and seawater desalination. The projects involving Morocco's Taqa company, a joint venture with the UAE's Taqa, include constructing a 1,400-kilometer transmission line to carry electricity from wind generation stations in the southern provinces to Casablanca, aiming to produce 1,200 megawatts at these stations. During June, Moroccan group Yina and Emirati AMEA Power announced signing a strategic partnership contract to develop a 100-megawatt wind farm in Laayoune city. Construction work is expected to begin in late 2025, with the wind station officially starting operations by 2027. The facility will contribute to reducing more than 330,000 tons of carbon annually. Tags: Morocco UAEWestern saharaWind energywind energy in Morocco
Saba Yemen
06-07-2025
- Business
- Saba Yemen
Iraq is at forefront... 5 largest Arab electricity deals in June 2025
Washington - Saba: Iraq and Syria topped the list of the five largest electricity deals in June 2025, according to the monthly report by energy platform "Attaqa." Iraq secured two of the five major global power sector deals last month, while Syria received significant international support aimed at alleviating its worsening energy crisis. Egypt also featured with a key project to boost hydroelectric power generation at the High Dam in Aswan. Meanwhile, the UAE contributed $200 million to expand the Gulf electrical interconnection network, marking a major regional investment. These developments highlight the growing focus on power infrastructure across the Arab world. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Observer
02-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman's liquid H2 corridor a model for global hydrogen trade
MUSCAT, JUNE 2 A landmark agreement signed recently by Oman to establish the world's first trade corridor for liquid hydrogen (H2), marks a pivotal step in consolidating the Sultanate's position as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. This was the central message of a recent article by Attaqa, a Washington-based Arabic-language platform dedicated to energy news and analysis. Titled "Exporting Liquefied Hydrogen Represents a Qualitative Leap for Oman and a Promising Opportunity for Middle East Countries", the article summarizes the views of several international energy experts who see the agreement as a model for global hydrogen trade. The proposed Liquid Hydrogen Corridor will connect the Port of Duqm in Oman with the Port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, enabling the transport of liquid hydrogen deeper into Europe via logistics hubs in Germany and beyond. Key players in this groundbreaking initiative include Hydrom—the master planner of Oman's green hydrogen sector—and OQ, the Sultanate's integrated global energy group. Oman's leadership in this transformative venture has earned international praise. Salah Mahdi, Global Director of Hydrogen at Chart Industries, a major player in hydrogen liquefaction and transport technologies, described the project as a "qualitative leap" that reflects a forward-thinking vision combining ambition and pragmatism. By taking a pioneering role in this initiative, Oman is demonstrating its intent to go beyond exploring hydrogen potential and instead develop a large-scale, integrated value chain. The country is leveraging not only its abundant renewable energy resources and strategic geographic location but also its growing partnerships with European nations, he said. 'If this project is implemented well—and initial signs are promising—this corridor could become a global model for intercontinental hydrogen trade,' Mahdi told Attaqa. He called Oman's decision to adopt liquid hydrogen a 'strategic choice,' noting that liquefied hydrogen, like LNG, can be transported in bulk over long distances. Mahdi highlighted the project's integrated system, which includes large-scale hydrogen production, advanced liquefaction, refrigerated container shipping, and regasification facilities in Europe. Such an ecosystem, he said, could serve as a clean energy artery linking the Middle East with Europe. Chart Industries, he said, is currently collaborating with a number of developers in the MENA region to produce and liquefy hydrogen locally for eventual export to Europe. He noted in this regard that, as a pioneer in this field, Oman would set standards and establish infrastructure models for other Arab countries to emulate. Matt Moran, Managing Director of Moran Innovation LLC, a leading player in hydrogen liquefaction, emphasized Oman's early leadership in the liquefied hydrogen sector. He cited the nation's abundant solar potential, low-cost land, trained workforce, existing gas infrastructure, and access to seawater and methane as significant advantages. He also stressed the importance of learning from other hydrogen export projects, such as Australia's shipments to Japan, and highlighted Germany and the Netherlands as natural trade partners due to their strong demand, infrastructure, and LNG ties. Frank Wouters, Chair of the Hydrogen Alliance for the Middle East and North Africa, noted that while liquefied hydrogen is gaining momentum, it's one of several viable transport methods—others include ammonia or liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Interest in liquefied hydrogen led to the recent creation of the Dii Liquid Hydrogen Taskforce (DLHTF) by Dii Desert Energy, a leading international public-private network focusing on green hydrogen. Wouters, who leads the taskforce, said its mission is to clarify the benefits and challenges of this emerging energy carrier.
Morocco World
04-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Becomes Spain's Top Gas Customer, Surpasses France
Rabat – Morocco has surpassed France, becoming Spain's top natural gas customer, according to recent data compiled by the Corporation of Strategic Reserves of Petroleum Products (Cores). The statistics, picked up by The Objective, said Morocco received 9,703 gigawatt hours of natural gas through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, which connects the two countries. The number surpasses the amount of gas France received from Spain in 2024, at 9,362 gigawatt hours. Morocco also surpassed Portugal, which received thousands of hours less of natural gas, only amounting to 4,056. The Objective said Spain 'barely' produces gas, but it has developed significant infrastructure for the products, including the Medgas and the Maghreb-Europe gas pipelines, in addition to six regasification plants. According to data from Attaqa, Morocco's gas imports witnessed a global increase of 3%, equivalent to 25 cubic meters on a yearly basis. The North African country imported 886 million cubic meters of gas in 2024, compared to 861 million cubic meters in 2023. In the first quarter of last year, Morocco imported 186 million cubic meters of gas, while in the second quarter gas imports reached 219 million cubic meters. Third quarter witnessed gas imports of 252 cubic meters, while in the fourth quarter, Morocco imported 229 million cubic meters. 'As shown in the numbers above, the third quarter recorded the highest level of Morocco's gas imports in 2024, aligning with seasonal demand trends, with an increase of 7 million cubic meters year-on-year,' Attaqa wrote. The only decline was recorded in the second quarter, dropping by 15 million cubic meters compared to 2023, when the North African country imported 234 million cubic meters of gas, the same statistics show. Last year, July and August were the months that witnessed the highest level of Morocco's gas imports. Despite this import activity, Morocco has pledged measures to be self-sufficient in terms of natural gas production. In February, CEO of Sound Energy Graham Lyon said undiscovered potential gas in eastern Morocco could exceed 20 trillion cubic feet. Earlier this year, British company Sound Energy announced a gas liquefaction facility at the Tendrara field in eastern Morocco. This means Morocco is poised to join the liquified natural gas production market for the first time in its history by the end of this year. The measure also seeks to reduce Morocco's reliance on gas imports, elevating the pressing need to rely locally on electricity and phosphates, among other energy sources.
