The Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), the Technology Transfer Acceleration Company of Paris-Saclay (SATT Paris-Saclay), and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a tripartite agreement to support Franco-Moroccan applied research projects in the field of decarbonized hydrogen.
Supported by a grant of 800,000 euros from the AFD and the French Treasury, this agreement plans to launch, in the fourth quarter of 2024, a call for innovative projects dedicated to the decarbonized hydrogen sector. This funding contributes to the development of a decarbonized and sustainable economy in Morocco, which is ideally positioned to become a key player in this future sector.
Announced last April during the visit of Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, this partnership reaffirms Morocco’s importance as a privileged partner of France, Europe, and Africa in meeting the challenge of energy transition and decarbonization of our economies.
During the signing ceremony held in Rabat on Thursday, July 4, in the presence of Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco, the partners emphasized the importance of this agreement for promoting applied research and technological innovation.
This agreement is part of a broader dynamic of bilateral cooperation aimed at supporting Morocco’s strategy for energy transition and developing innovative technological solutions to address global climate challenges. By making a significant contribution to the Kingdom’s energy transition, this agreement illustrates the willingness of both countries to collaborate closely for a more sustainable future.
The call for projects will select and support innovative initiatives led by Franco-Moroccan teams for three years.
Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco, stated: “This cooperation will foster the emergence of new Franco-Moroccan partnerships between research centers, academic circles, and industrial actors in this strategic decarbonized hydrogen sector.”
Quiterie Pincent, Director of the AFD in Morocco, added: “Climate change compels us to promote a low-carbon economy. The development of research on the value chain of green hydrogen contributes to this transition and represents an additional opportunity to support the Kingdom’s ambitions.”
IRESEN, a leading agency in innovation in the field of energy transition, will be responsible for the administrative and technical management of the call for projects, providing financial and technological support to selected projects, and access to shared expertise and infrastructure, notably the platform dedicated to R&D in Decarbonized Hydrogen “GREEN H2A.” Furthermore, the involvement of the Technology Transfer Acceleration Company (SATT) of Paris-Saclay will enrich this partnership in terms of the valorization and transfer of developed technologies towards commercialization and market launch.
Samir Rachidi, General Director of IRESEN, affirmed: “By implementing this market-oriented applied research call for projects, we aim to bring forth decarbonized hydrogen technologies and transform them into marketable industrial products. Thus, we strengthen our participation in the development of the sector.”
Xavier Apolinarski, President of SATT Paris-Saclay, expressed from Orsay: “SATT Paris-Saclay, in partnership with the IRESEN teams responsible for this call for projects, will ensure the analysis of the potential for valorizing the proposed applied research projects, the valorization of the results of selected projects, and the successful transfer of technologies to the market.”
This tripartite agreement represents a decisive step towards a decarbonized economy, strengthening ties between France and Morocco and paving the way for new opportunities for innovation and sustainable development.