Examining Morocco's Potential to Contribute to Europe's Energy Mix Amidst the Energy Crisis

Morocco has set its sights on becoming a major player in renewable energy by exporting electricity produced by its solar and wind farms to Europe.

However, some are questioning whether the country should be prioritising its own domestic energy needs instead.

With Europe ramping up its efforts to tackle climate change, Morocco is well-positioned to be part of the solution. The country has ambitious plans to generate 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with the hope of exporting much of it to Europe via undersea cables.

Despite these plans, Morocco still relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy needs. In fact, in 2021, 80.5% of the country's electricity production came from burning coal, gas, and oil. Wind power accounted for just 12.4% of the country's electricity production, while solar power contributed 4.4%.

While exporting renewable energy to Europe could be a lucrative opportunity for Morocco, some experts argue that the country should focus on meeting its own domestic energy needs first.

Currently, Morocco imports 90% of its energy, and developing its own renewable energy infrastructure could help reduce this reliance on imports and stimulate economic growth. The World Bank has estimated that increasing Morocco's renewable energy generation could create up to 28,000 jobs each year and position the country as an industrial hub for green products.

The Moroccan government is aware of the potential benefits of investing in renewable energy and has set a target of generating 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

However, achieving this goal will require significant investment, with the World Bank estimating a cost of $52 billion. Most of this investment will need to come from the private sector, and the government is actively seeking investors to help fund renewable energy projects.

Whether Morocco chooses to prioritise its domestic energy needs or pursue export opportunities remains to be seen, but the country's ambitious renewable energy plans are likely to play a key role in its future economic development.