Morocco embarked on a remarkable energy transition process over a decade ago, a strategic and pioneering choice that has established renewable energies as a genuine lever for socio-economic and territorial development, as well as a major determinant of the Kingdom’s economic attractiveness.
This forward-looking approach, initiated under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and supported by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), is based on an ambitious national strategy that combines a long-term vision with structural projects that have tangible socio-economic benefits.
Today, as the world celebrates International Renewable Energy Day on January 26, the Kingdom can proudly assert its status as a key player in the field of clean energies.
A symbol of this leadership, the NOOR Ouarzazate solar complex remains one of the flagship projects globally, with an installed capacity of 600 megawatts. A true showcase of Moroccan expertise, it provides green electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of nearly two million people and helps avoid approximately 900,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
This dynamic also extends to the southern regions of the Kingdom, with the NOOR Laâyoune I and NOOR Boujdour I plants, totaling over 100 megawatts, reinforcing the territorial foundation of renewable energies.
The same momentum is observed in the wind sector, notably with the Nassim Koudia Al Baida wind farm, located in Tetouan. Through a repowering operation, its capacity has been increased to 100 megawatts on the same land while reducing production costs by integrating the latest technologies.
Building on these achievements, MASEN is now accelerating the deployment of a new generation of large-scale projects, totaling over 5 gigawatts. The NOOR Midelt solar complex is one of its cornerstones, alongside the NOOR Atlas programs, NOOR PV Multisites, and the NASSIM wind program.
According to the Agency’s forecasts, an additional 12 gigawatts of renewable capacity are expected to be commissioned nationwide by 2030, with an increasing contribution from the private sector.
At the same time, Morocco is positioning itself as one of the most attractive countries in the world for the emerging green hydrogen sector. Under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has launched the “Morocco Green Hydrogen Offer,” which MASEN is managing and coordinating.
So far, seven integrated green hydrogen and derivatives projects have been selected in the southern regions, attracting leading Moroccan and international investors. The challenge now is to transform this momentum into concrete investments, sustainable jobs, and structural infrastructure.
Beyond the energy aspect, MASEN projects generate significant impacts in terms of employment, training, and territorial development. In some projects, up to 85% of jobs are local, while the industrial integration rate in solar exceeds 40%.
Hundreds of Moroccan engineers and technicians have been trained in cutting-edge technologies, supported by a research and development platform of nearly 200 hectares in Ouarzazate, dedicated to real-world testing and conducted in partnership with national and international universities and research institutes.
This action is part of a broader approach to inclusive development. Between 2010 and 2025, more than 180 initiatives have been carried out to benefit local populations, directly or indirectly impacting over 110,000 people in areas such as education, healthcare, access to safe drinking water, basic infrastructure, and support for income-generating activities.
By 2030, Morocco aims to raise the share of renewable energies to over 52% of its electricity mix to support an average annual electricity demand increase of 7% and sustained economic growth.
Beyond electricity production, the Kingdom sees the energy transition as a major lever for decarbonization and the competitiveness of the national economy. The goal is clear: to provide clean and competitive energy, generate jobs, strengthen the national industrial sector, while benefiting local communities.
MAP