France actively participates in the World Power-to-X Summit, which will be held on October 8 and 9, 2024, in Marrakech, through a France Space coordinated by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM). This space highlights the key role of French companies in the green hydrogen and renewable energy sector, a technology at the heart of global energy transition challenges.
French expertise in green hydrogen and energy transition
Green hydrogen occupies a central place in France’s energy ambitions. Since 2017, France has made this technology a priority, allowing it to rank among the global leaders in terms of patents, research and development, and equipment. Currently, the French industry consumes about 900,000 tons of hydrogen per year, making this sector the largest user of hydrogen in the country.
In 2018, France established its first hydrogen plan, followed in 2020 by an ambitious national strategy aimed at structuring the entire sector. This approach is part of the broader France 2030 framework, with massive investments to support this energy transition. Low-carbon hydrogen represents a major lever for decarbonizing industrial sectors such as steelmaking, chemistry, refining, and for the production of synthetic fuels, while also offering clean and sustainable transport solutions.
The objective of France is clear: to become an essential player in green hydrogen by 2030, with three strategic axes:
- Produce hydrogen at a large scale through electrolysis;
- Promote heavy mobility (trucks, buses, trains) powered by decarbonized hydrogen;
- Develop an integrated and competitive hydrogen sector capable of competing globally.
To support this ambition, France has allocated a financing plan of 7 billion euros, aimed at supporting companies involved in this sector. By 2030, the country aims to:
- Install 6.5 GW of electrolyzers to contribute to the decarbonization of the economy;
- Avoid the emission of 6 million tons of CO2 through the development of clean mobility.
The France Space, a true showcase of French expertise
The France Space, coordinated by the CFCIM, hosts several renowned partners who embody excellence in this field. EDF Renewables, a premium partner, along with BMCI, Bureau Veritas, CME Group Vinci, Engie, Hydrogen of France, Hy24, MGH, Maison Occitanie, and Total Energies H2 participate in this event to share their innovations and respective expertise.
These companies represent the forefront of the energy transition, with a particular focus on the development of green hydrogen, a key vector for achieving global decarbonization goals. Each, in its field, provides solutions that address the energy challenges of the future:
- EDF Renewables Morocco: a major player in renewable energies, EDF aims to build a CO₂ neutral energy future
- BMCI: Committed to sustainable financing, BMCI offers tailored solutions to support green initiatives
- Bureau Veritas: supports companies through its evaluation and certification services to ensure environmentally friendly practices
- CME Group Vinci: recognized experts in the development of sustainable infrastructure projects
- Engie: a reference group in low-carbon energy, its purpose is to act to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, through more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions
- Hydrogen of France: a leading global player in the hydrogen sector, developer of large-scale hydrogen infrastructures and manufacturer of high-power fuel cells
- Hy24: the world’s first and largest private asset manager dedicated to hydrogen
- MGH: a major player in e-fuels for the decarbonization of maritime and air transport. The MGH Energy Morocco subsidiary carries the ambitious Janassim project, which consists of developing, building, and operating a renewable synthetic fuel production plant in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region
- Maison Occitanie: the House of the Occitanie Region in Casablanca has primarily been dedicated, since its creation in 2012, to the logistics, water, and environmental sectors; the House of the Region has expanded its scope of action, now intervening in the energy, agritech/agrotech, space, drones, rail, digital, and health sectors.
- Total Energies H2: TE H2 is a joint venture formed by TotalEnergies (80%) and the EREN Group (20%), specializing in the development and structuring of large-scale green hydrogen projects. TE H2 has in-depth expertise in the development, construction, and operation of wind and solar projects worldwide. By combining its technical expertise and experience, TE H2 aims to realize green hydrogen projects with a global impact and to provide affordable, sustainable, reliable, and accessible energy to the greatest number of people.
France-Morocco relations in support of hydrogen development
Morocco, with its abundant natural resources and commitment to a green economy, is a strategic partner for France in the development of renewable energies, particularly hydrogen. The Guelmim Oued Noun region, with its strong potential and strategy for clean energy and hydrogen production, perfectly embodies this Moroccan ambition to become an essential energy hub.
Thus, hydrogen represents one of the most promising axes of this bilateral cooperation, opening the way to major economic opportunities while contributing to the fight against climate change.
France’s participation in the World Power-to-X Summit illustrates the strength of these economic relations and the commitment of both countries to future projects for a successful energy transition.