The British company Sound Energy, already established in the Kingdom through the gas from Tendrara, confirms its long-term commitment to Morocco’s energy transition. On Monday, July 7, its CEO, Graham Lyon, announced a potential investment of $250 million in solar projects, with a production capacity that could reach 270 megawatts within five years. Beyond solar, the company also aims to position itself in emerging segments such as natural hydrogen and helium.
An expansion strategy focused on renewables
This strategic shift illustrates Sound Energy’s desire to anchor itself in an energy diversification logic, at a time when Morocco is positioning itself as a key regional hub for green investments. The development of solar projects will be ensured in partnership with Gaia Energy, a leading Moroccan developer in the renewable energy sector. The investment plan foresees between 10 and 15 installations, spread across several regions of the country, each with an average capacity of 20 MW.
According to Graham Lyon, the realization of this program relies on the swift acquisition of the necessary administrative permits. The financial structure will be based on a combination of equity and debt, in a classic scheme for financing energy infrastructure projects.
Reducing dependence on imported coal
One of the stated objectives of this solar expansion is to produce green electricity at a competitive cost, in order to support Morocco’s ambitions for decarbonizing its energy mix. Currently, a significant portion of the electricity produced in Morocco still comes from imported coal. By increasing the installed capacity in solar, these new projects will help reduce the energy bill and strengthen the country’s energy independence.
A well-established presence in natural gas
Sound Energy’s interest in Morocco is not new. The company holds a 20% stake in the highly strategic gas project of Tendrara, alongside Managem (55%) and the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM, 25%). This field, with reserves estimated at 10.67 billion cubic meters, is considered one of the most promising in the country. Commercial commissioning is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, with a liquefaction plant nearing completion.
Launch of HyMaroc to explore natural hydrogen
Driven by the global momentum around the energy transition, Sound Energy is also positioning itself in the highly sought-after segment of natural hydrogen. In collaboration with the British group Getech, the company has launched a joint venture called HyMaroc Limited, aimed at exploring and exploiting potential hydrogen and helium deposits in Morocco. This initiative follows geological studies that have highlighted areas rich in these two energy elements, considered strategic for the coming decades.
Morocco, a favorable ground for green energies
All of these initiatives are part of an ambitious national dynamic. The Kingdom aims to increase the share of renewable energies to 52% of its installed capacity by 2030. In this context, Moroccan authorities have multiplied incentive measures to attract private investments: simplification of procedures, modernization of the regulatory framework of the electricity market, and facilitation of access to land.
For Graham Lyon, “natural gas and solar currently represent the most viable solutions to support Morocco’s low-carbon transition.” This view aligns with the country’s strategic vision, resolutely focused on green and sustainable growth, capable of combining energy sovereignty, economic attractiveness, and environmental protection.