As Europe seeks new levers to ensure its energy transition, Italy is resolutely turning towards Morocco. Bilateral cooperation in clean energy, particularly around green hydrogen, is entering a promising new phase, with several projects and high-level visits on the agenda.
### Towards a New Direction in Energy Cooperation
Taking advantage of the third United Nations Conference on the Oceans (Unoc) in Nice, Italian officials exchanged ideas with the Moroccan delegation to strengthen their collaboration in the field of sustainable development and renewable energies. An Italian delegation is expected in Rabat in July to lay the groundwork for a new strategic partnership. An official visit from Giorgia Meloni, President of the Italian Council of Ministers, is also being prepared, culminating in a bilateral business forum.
These exchanges are part of the continuity of the “Italy-Africa” Summit held in Rome in January 2024, during which the head of government Aziz Akhannouch emphasized the importance of strengthening Morocco-Italy relations, particularly in future sectors such as renewable energies.
### Green Hydrogen, a Key Axis of Closer Ties
The flagship project at the heart of this dynamic is green hydrogen. Italy, through its deputy Debora Serracchiani, recently approved a motion aimed at enhancing logistics between Morocco and the port of Trieste, as part of the Mattei Plan. The goal is to make the Kingdom a central link in the Mediterranean green corridor, in synergy with Croatia and Slovenia.
The interest is particularly strong as Morocco launched in March 2024 the implementation of its National Offer on Green Hydrogen, under the impetus of the Royal High Directives. This strategy, praised internationally, relies on Morocco’s strengths: sunshine, space, port infrastructure, and proximity to Europe.
### Massive Projects and Major Investors
Today, six large-scale projects have been validated for a total investment of 319 billion dirhams, entrusted to leading international consortiums. Among them are Ortus (USA), Acciona (Spain), Nordex (Germany), Taqa (UAE), Cepsa (Spain), Nareva (Morocco), ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia), and the Chinese UEG and China Three Gorges. The challenge is to produce green ammonia, industrial fuel, and even green steel.
Italy, still absent from this first wave, could quickly join the ranks, thanks to its expertise and industrial ambitions in green technologies.
### Green Financing: A Strategic Lever
On the financial front, relations are also tightening. The Italian public insurer SACE has just concluded a green financing deal of 365 million euros with the OCP Group. This is the first operation of its kind in Morocco, as part of SACE’s Push Strategy, which aims to support Italian exports to strategic markets like Morocco.
This financing, praised by the Italian ambassador in Rabat, strengthens economic exchanges between the two countries while giving a boost to the green transition of the world leader in phosphate fertilizers.