31 October 2014: An in-depth review of Morocco’s energy policies conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that the country has made important advances in wind and solar energy, and fuel subsidy reform. The report, titled ‘Morocco 2014 – Energy Policies Beyond IEA Countries,’ encourages the government to keep its current course, and provides specific recommendations on related strategies, deployment of renewable energy, and policy and regulatory frameworks.

The study, which was prepared at the request of the Government of Morocco, analyzes the country’s: general energy policy; climate change-relevant aspects; energy efficiency; electricity sector; frameworks and status of renewable energy, oil, coal and natural gas; and energy technology research and development.

The study explains that over 91% of Morocco’s energy supply comes from abroad, which places a significant burden on the balance of payments and, where subsidies are applied, the budget, and creates a security of supply risk. The report mentions Morocco’s rural electricity access programme, in place since 1995, and a National Energy Strategy, launched in 2009, that sets objectives in the areas of: the electricity fuel mix and its optimization; development of renewable energy sources, especially wind, solar and hydro; energy efficiency; foreign investment in the energy sector; and regional integration.

On renewables, the IEA expects Morocco to reach its renewable energy targets of 2 GW of wind, 2 GW of solar and a 2 GW increase in hydropower capacity by 2020. If these targets are achieved, renewables would account for 42% of the country’s total installed electricity generation capacity. Morocco already has 600 MW of wind capacity, and over 1000 MW are in planning or construction. The first concentrated solar power (CSP) project, with an initial capacity of 160 GW, has also been launched in Ouarzazate, and a legal and institutional framework for renewable energy has been established. Morocco has also taken specific measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the energy sector.

The IEA concludes that Morocco’s “2009 National Energy Strategy is being implemented in accordance with the deadlines set at its launch.” It recommends that Morocco: sustain progress in fuel subsidy reform; reinforce the existing energy efficiency strategy with regulation and incentives; optimize the deployment of solar power; accelerate the establishment of an energy regulator; seek to maintain the confidence of foreign investors and the domestic industry; and encourage research and development (R&D) into new energy technologies, and technology transfer. [IEA Press Release] [Publication: Morocco 2014 – Energy Policies Beyond IEA Countries: Executive Summary and Key Recommendations]