Morocco is accelerating the pace of its energy transition strategy relying on renewable energies, announced the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Benali explained that Morocco is working on raising the contribution of renewable energies in electricity production to 52 percent by 2030, and on raising the use of renewable energies in other economic sectors by 20 percent by 2030.
"We are determined to accelerate energy transition and activate development," she said.
She pointed out that there are 50 renewable energy projects with a capacity of 3,500 megawatts providing 20 percent of electrical energy, while 61 other projects are underway to produce more than 4000 megawatts.
Benali said the energy efficiency plan aims to reduce energy consumption in several production sectors.
The government will issue a decree to determine the list of public administrations and institutions that will be obliged to rationalize energy, she pointed out.
She said the outcome of oil and gas exploration did not reach the desired levels, and that Morocco's production of gas in both the Essaouira and Gharb fields did not exceed 98 million cubic meters in 2020. They are expected to reach 110 million cubic meters next year.
Authorities issued a license to exploit the Tendrara field in the east, said Benali, noting that the results of exploration in the Atlantic Ocean between Tangiers and Larache are "encouraging."
Benali indicated that Morocco's gas needs amount to 1 billion cubic meters.
Morocco is allowing international companies to explore an area estimated at 283,600 square kilometers. Investments in this area amounted to $2.7 billion.
The Moroccan minister pointed out that the basins in Morocco are still unexplored, with only four wells drilled per 10,000 square meters, while the global average is 1,000 wells per 10,000 square meters.
