Latest news with #LeilaBenali
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Ambitious Public Sector Reform with ONHYM Restructuring
The Moroccan government has approved the transformation of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) into a joint-stock company. This marks the first concrete step in a broader public sector reform agenda. Draft law No. 56.24, adopted by the Government Council today, sets ONHYM on a new path aimed at strengthening strategic efficiency, improving institutional performance, and optimizing national resources. This decision falls in line with Morocco's broader vision which strives to achieve deep reform and address long-standing structural issues in public institutions. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition described the transformation as a strategic shift, placing ONHYM at the center of Morocco's economic and institutional renewal. According to the minister, this reform did not emerge in isolation. It was shaped through collaboration among the Head of Government's Office, ONHYM, her ministry, and the National Agency for the Strategic Management of State Holdings and Monitoring of Public Enterprises' Performance (ANGSPE). The law draws directly from Framework Law No. 50.21 and Law No. 82.20, and seeks to introduce a new governance model for ONHYM. It also opens the door to stronger performance, diversified funding sources, and more effective use of national assets. Benali further noted that this change would boost economic and territorial value and allow the agency to contribute more significantly to Morocco's development goals. Created in 2003 through the merger of two specialized institutions, ONHYM has built a solid base of geoscientific data and technical expertise. It has played a key role in identifying numerous mineral deposits, and now stands to gain more autonomy and financial agility under the new structure. The minister pointed to recent reforms within the energy and mining sectors, including updates to legal frameworks, the withdrawal of inactive permits, increased investment in natural gas, and a push toward digitization and better public service. She said that transforming ONHYM is a natural continuation of these efforts. Under the new model, ONHYM will be allowed to form subsidiaries and take part in the capital of other companies. The state will retain majority voting rights, and employee rights will be preserved. ONHYM will also continue, on a transitional basis, to operate in gas transport and storage. Benali described this shift as a crucial mechanism for repositioning ONHYM within the national economy and linking it more effectively to global value chains. She said the reform supports Morocco's pursuit of energy sovereignty and industrial transformation and aligns with a larger national strategy to improve the performance of over 50 public institutions. This new reform represents a new phase in public investment, national development, and the responsible management of Morocco's strategic assets. As the North African country advances toward energy sovereignty and deeper integration into global value chains, this reform sets a precedent for future public sector transformations. Tags: Moroccomorocco infrastructureMorocco miningONHYM
Morocco World
4 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
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco to build pipelines for planned LNG terminal
Morocco is planning to construct pipelines to connect its planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Mediterranean at a cost of $700 million. The pipelines will link the terminal in Nador city with an existing pipeline connecting Morocco to Spain and industrial zones in Mohammedia and Kenitra cities, said Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. She told Morocco's parliament on Monday that the Ministry has filed an expression of interest for the terminal project and that the deadline for receiving responses from companies will end on 23 July. 'The cost of the project to build a pipeline network to connect the terminal in Nador to the Morocco-Europe pipeline and those two industrial cities is expected to exceed $700 million,' the Minister said. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) ( Subscribe to our Projects' PULSE newsletter that brings you trustworthy news, updates and insights on project activities, developments, and partnerships across sectors in the Middle East and Africa.
Morocco World
16-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches First 1,000 MW Offshore Wind Project Near Essaouira
Doha – Morocco has officially announced its first offshore wind farm project with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts to be built near Essaouira. The initiative was unveiled on June 10, in Nice during the Mediterranean Day of the United Nations Conference on the Oceans (UNOC3). The project is among the first investments funded by the Mediterranean Blue Partnership (MBP), a multi-donor fund established to support sustainable blue economy in the southern Mediterranean and Red Sea. The wind farm is scheduled to begin construction by 2029 and will be Morocco's first offshore wind energy development. 'This project is part of a dynamic that combines energy independence, industrial attractiveness and economic competitiveness,' said Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition. The initiative aligns with the country's national strategy to secure more than 52% of its electricity mix from renewable sources by 2030. The Essaouira coast was specifically chosen for its strong and consistent marine winds, with average speeds reaching 11 meters per second. These conditions make the area particularly suitable for offshore wind development and ensure favorable technical profitability for electricity generation. The MBP, which is financing the project's feasibility studies and technical assistance, has now reached €22 million in available funds. Spain recently signed an €8.5 million commitment to the partnership, joining Sweden, Germany, France, and the European Union as contributors. Beyond Morocco's wind project, two other initiatives have been selected for this first phase of MBP funding. In Jordan, a project will restore the Ayla oasis in the Gulf of Aqaba, regenerating a coral ecosystem and implementing a thermal storage system (TES). The coral coverage is expected to increase by 240%, while the TES system will save more than 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. In Egypt, a wastewater treatment plant in East Alexandria, scheduled to be operational by 2028, will process 300,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily. This facility will benefit 1.5 million people and directly reduce marine pollution. The announcement comes as the global offshore wind sector is experiencing rapid expansion. According to Rystad Energy, worldwide offshore wind capacity is projected to increase by 19 gigawatts in 2025. Morocco is now joining this growing global market, potentially encouraging other Mediterranean countries to pursue similar initiatives. Since the first ministerial declaration on sustainable blue economy in 2015, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has mobilized over €500 million for more than 250 regional projects. These initiatives span maritime clusters, decarbonization, marine biodiversity, blue jobs, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, pollution prevention, and circular economy development. The Essaouira offshore wind project represents an important step in Morocco's energy transition journey. Previously focused primarily on solar energy and onshore wind development, the country is now venturing into offshore wind technology, strengthening its position as a regional leader in renewable energy. Read also: Morocco, UAE Sign $14 Billion Megadeal: Key Details on the Largest Private Investment in Morocco's History Tags: essaouirarenewable energy
Morocco World
07-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
France, Morocco Agree on Roadmap to Jumpstart Energy Cooperation
Doha – Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, has held strategic discussions with her French counterpart in Paris to advance bilateral cooperation on major energy projects. Benali met with Marc Ferracci during her working visit to Paris on Friday, with the pair pledging to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries. The meeting focused on accelerating their two countries' partnership in renewable energy, electric interconnection, and low-carbon transition. This high-level encounter builds upon Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Morocco in October 2024, which the French president made at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. That diplomatic milestone resulted in several major agreements, including an ambitious strategic partnership in energy, electrical interconnections, and low-carbon transition. At the center of discussions was the innovative electrical interconnection project between France and Morocco. The bidirectional 'off-grid' underwater connection requires installing a cable at unprecedented depths. Both ministers reviewed the technical and regulatory steps needed to launch an international market test for this groundbreaking project. Holding shared commitments Industrial cooperation featured prominently in the talks. The ministers examined joint investment opportunities in renewable energy sectors, including cable manufacturing, solar and wind energy, battery production, and the development of strategic industrial components. 'Green molecules' such as hydrogen and ammonia were also on the agenda. Officials identified their potential use in land, air, and maritime transport, while calling attention to the need for coordinated industrial integration in these emerging sectors. Both parties stressed the importance of collaborative research and innovation, particularly around cutting-edge technologies like energy storage, electrolyzers, and sustainable mobility. They shared a commitment to developing concrete and competitive solutions. The meeting concluded with renewed political and institutional commitments from both countries. Their stated goal is to develop model projects that will contribute to energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and climate transition acceleration. This partnership aligns with the royal vision of establishing Morocco as a regional clean energy hub and a key player in the international climate response. Read also: Portugal Turns to Morocco Power Link as France Blocks EU Grid Tags: leila benaliMorocco France Relations
