Morocco’s Renewable Energy Target: Over 50% By 2030 & 100% By 2050
Morocco is on the right path regarding renewable energy efforts (relative to most other countries). As per 2019 data, the country meets 35% of its electricity needs with renewables. And it’s leading in solar endeavors.
For example, its Noor Ouarzazate Solar Power Station is the largest concentrated solar power plant on the planet, generating enough energy to power a city twice the size of Marrakesh. And its Tarfaya Wind Farm is Africa’s largest onshore wind farm, producing enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes!
But Morocco has bigger plans and aims to do even better. It has set a bold target to source more than 50% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050, adding 1.5GW renewable capacity annually.
These targets and other climate change policies have positioned Morocco as the second most prepared country in the Climate Change Performance Indexes for 2018 and 2019. Even amid the pandemic, the country’s renewable energy sector improves.
According to the Solar Outlook 2021 report by UAE’s Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA), Morocco is pushing ahead with its plans to meet the targets. The report said:
The efforts put in place by Morocco to create green policies increased rapidly since its support and signature of the Paris Agreement. The country is committed to implementing its renewable energy strategy. Despite some uncertainties due to COVID19, its targets for 2020 were expected to be reached, and its ultimate goal to produce 52% of its electricity from renewables. The rapid growth of the additional share of electricity from renewables induces, similarly to other countries, issues of integration to the grid, and Morocco is increasingly looking into smart digital solutions.
Solar will be the go-to option seeing as it’s now the cheapest electricity option in history. The next runner up is wind power since the country has substantial natural wind resources.
The report also says Morocco is creating a hydrogen roadmap involving several pilot projects. The government aims to become an exporter of hydrogen fuel. With its rich resources for wind and solar power, it could be a green hydrogen-producing hotspot.
While the country explores how it could achieve 100% renewable energy, an organization called The Solutions Project mapped out how countries worldwide could do this. It created a detailed report for Morocco. Perhaps Morocco’s leadership will use it as a council.
Source : intelligentliving
