Morocco allocates 1M hectares for green hydrogen initiative

MOROCCO – In a strategic move to attract investors and bolster its green energy sector, the Moroccan government has unveiled plans to allocate approximately 1 million hectares of land for green hydrogen projects.

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced the initiative, emphasizing its role in attracting investments and advancing Morocco’s renewable energy ambitions.

The allocation will be carried out in phases, with an initial release of 300,000 hectares. Notably, over 100 investors have already shown keen interest in participating in green hydrogen production within Morocco.

Under the plan, the government will offer land parcels ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 hectares, tailored to the scale of the proposed projects.

To ensure responsible land use, these allocations will be governed by a contractual framework designed to uphold public land regulations.

This announcement aligns with King Mohammed VI’s directive from November 2022, which tasked the government with presenting a comprehensive green hydrogen strategy to leverage Morocco’s vast potential and attract global investment.

Morocco’s abundant solar and wind resources make it an ideal location for green hydrogen production. The initiative aims to not only meet domestic energy needs but also position Morocco as a key exporter of green hydrogen to international markets.

Green hydrogen holds immense promise for decarbonizing various sectors, including maritime, mining, cement production, transport, and aviation. By utilizing renewable energy to electrolyze water, Morocco seeks to pioneer sustainable solutions for its energy transition.

Prime Minister Akhannouch underscored the transformative impact of green hydrogen on Morocco’s economy, emphasizing its role in addressing economic, social, environmental, and technological challenges.

The “Morocco Offer” encompasses integrated projects spanning electricity generation from renewables, electrolysis, hydrogen conversion, and the production of ammonia, methanol, and synthetic fuels, along with associated logistics.

With this ambitious initiative, Morocco aims to position itself at the forefront of the global green hydrogen revolution, driving sustainable growth and fostering innovation under the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI.

This initiative builds on previous partnerships, including a recent deal signed in January between Moroccan electricity and water utility ONEE and renewable energy companies Nareva and GE Vernova.

The agreement aims to conduct a feasibility study to replace fuel with green hydrogen to operate a 99-megawatt power plant in Laayoune, Western Sahara.

GE Vernova, an offshoot of General Electric, will assist in delivering electricity generated using 100% green hydrogen from Nareva’s Laayoune wind farm, supporting Morocco’s expansion of renewable installed capacity from 40% to 52% by 2030.

While Morocco currently generates about 70% of its electricity from coal and 20% from renewable energy, the country is actively working to shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The feasibility study, which will last for two years, underscores Morocco’s commitment to green hydrogen production and its transition towards sustainable energy solutions.

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