Morocco takes a new step in its energy strategy with the launch of seven industrial projects dedicated to green hydrogen, all located in the southern regions. This initiative aims to structure a coherent national offer, based on an integrated framework combining land use, taxation, infrastructure, and customs incentives.
During an intervention at the House of Representatives, the Minister of Energy Transition, Leïla Benali, detailed this “global and practical” approach, in line with royal directives. The objective is to provide clear visibility to investors and cover the entire value chain, from energy production to industrial derivatives.
On the ground, nearly one million hectares have been identified to host these projects, with 300,000 hectares already mobilized for the first wave of investments. Six industrial groups, both Moroccan and foreign, have been selected to lead these seven projects in the regions of Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab.
The expected total capacity reaches 20 GW of renewable energy, including 10 GW of electrolysis, with an estimated production of 8 million tons per year of hydrogen derivatives, such as green ammonia, synthetic fuels, or low-carbon steel.
One of the major challenges of this sector remains water management. The facilities are expected to consume 63 million cubic meters of desalinated water each year, a resource produced locally from renewable energies. The challenge is twofold: to control costs and to strengthen the country’s water autonomy, according to the minister.
Through this roadmap, Morocco is betting on green hydrogen to accelerate its energy transition, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and become a key player in clean energy production at the regional level.
