Latest news with #GreenHydrogenOffer
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Targets 20 Gigawatts of Renewable Energy Capacity
Rabat — Morocco is positioning itself as a regional leader in renewable energy, with ambitious plans to produce 20 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity while simultaneously developing its natural gas infrastructure, according to Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Minister Leila Benali. Speaking during the weekly oral questions session in the House of Representatives on Monday, Minister Benali outlined Morocco's comprehensive energy strategy and pushed back against criticism that the government has failed to achieve energy sovereignty in the renewable sector. Doubling current energy capacity The minister noted that Morocco's 20-gigawatt renewable energy target represents twice its current installed capacity, an ambitious goal pursued through multiple projects involving more than 23 government institutions in coordination across the energy sector. 'We have not failed to achieve energy sovereignty in the field of green hydrogen,' Benali said. 'Morocco is a model in this field, and it is time to exploit the qualifications it enjoys thanks to its strategic location close to the European continent, as well as its infrastructure, logistics, and important renewable energy reserves,' she explained. Green hydrogen ambitions The minister likened Morocco's green hydrogen potential to Saudi Arabia's influence in traditional energy markets. She pointed to the North African country's strategic advantages, including its proximity to Europe, developed industrial infrastructure, and abundant renewable energy resources. Morocco's 'Green Hydrogen Offer' offers comprehensive incentive frameworks covering investment, taxation, and customs policies designed to support project developers and ensure better implementation outcomes, Benali added. This strategic approach demonstrates the government's commitment to creating favorable conditions for green hydrogen development. The implementation pace of Morocco's green hydrogen initiative has accelerated significantly, with six national and international investment consortium selected to develop seven green hydrogen projects, which span three regions in southern Morocco, namely Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab. According to the minister, this development 'reflects Morocco's commitment to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy and achieving its sustainable energy objectives.' The geographic distribution across the southern provinces leverages these regions' exceptional solar and wind resources, positioning them as key drivers of Morocco's green hydrogen ambitions. Natural gas infrastructure development Alongside renewable energy expansion, Morocco is investing heavily in natural gas infrastructure. Minister Benali revealed that pipeline investments alone exceed $700 million to transport natural gas from Nador to the Maghreb-Europe Pipeline and industrial zones in Mohammedia and Kenitra. The government has conducted extensive consultations with several OPEC member countries despite successive global crises, demonstrating Morocco's commitment to achieving comprehensive energy sovereignty. Major infrastructure projects A key component of Morocco's energy strategy involves establishing the country's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal at the West Mediterranean port of Nador. This facility will connect to a new gas pipeline network linking to the existing Maghreb-Europe Pipeline. The infrastructure will supply both current and future power plants operated by the National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE), while also serving industrial zones extending to Kenitra and Mohammedia. Tags: leila benalinatural gasrenewable energy
Morocco World
12-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
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
Ya Biladi
12-03-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco-US relations : From diplomacy to energy
Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, met with her American counterpart, Chris Wright, on Tuesday, March 11, in Houston, United States. This «constructive meeting» was an opportunity to explore «valuable opportunities for enhanced cooperation in #energy and strategic bilateral investments», stated Morocco's ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, on X. 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. #Africa was a key focus, reflecting… — Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) March 11, 2025 «Africa was a key focus, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusive prosperity and the continent's energy security», the diplomat added. The meeting took place on the sidelines of Benali's participation in an international energy conference. She was also scheduled to take part in discussions on Monday, March 10, focused on energy security challenges. 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… — Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) March 12, 2025 Last week, the steering committee of «Morocco's Green Hydrogen Offer», chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, selected the American company Ortus, a member of the ORNX consortium, for an ammonia production project in the Sahara.
