Energy transition in Morocco: where do we really stand?
Author
Oussama BOUOUAROUR
When we talk about Morocco’s energy transitiona familiar image quickly comes to mind: large solar installations beneath an almost permanently blue sky, wind turbines lining the coast and, of course, the Noor complex in Ouarzazate.
These projects matter.
But they tell only part of the story.
The real energy transition is also taking place in much less photogenic places: our electricity grids, buildings, transport systems, factories, consumption habits and even in our ability to store electricity when the sun is no longer shining.
So, where does Morocco really stand?
Morocco has taken an early lead
Morocco committed to this transformation relatively early. Its national energy strategy dates back to 2009 and includes a target of increasing the share of renewable energy to more than 52% of installed electricity capacity by 2030..
And the progress made so far is far from insignificant.
By the end of 2024, Morocco had around 5.5 GW of installed renewable capacityrepresenting 45.5% of its total electricity capacity. Wind accounted for around 2,451 MW, while solar accounted for 928 MW.
At first glance, it might seem that nearly half of the electricity consumed in Morocco is already renewable.
But that is not quite the case.
45% renewable capacity does not mean 45% renewable electricity
It is a distinction that is mentioned far less often.
La Installed capacity refers to what energy facilities could produce under certain conditions. Actual generation,however, depends on sunlight, wind, hydrology, plant availability and demand at the time electricity is being produced.
So, while renewables represented around 45.5% of installed electricity capacity, they contributed around 27% of Morocco’s electricity generation by the end of 2024..
This is not a failure.
It is simply an important reminder: installing more solar panels and wind turbines is not enough, on its own, to transform an energy system.
We also need to be able to use that energy in the right place and at the right time..
And that is where things become particularly interesting.
The real challenge may be less about generation than what happens around it
Solar energy naturally produces more power during the day. Wind power depends on weather conditions. Demand, meanwhile, does not always follow the same pattern.
So what happens when a large amount of renewable electricity is produced at a time when demand is low?
And what happens a few hours later, when demand rises?
This is exactly why electricity grids, storage and system flexibility are becoming just as important as power plants themselves.
The 2025–2030 energy programme includes nearly 12,445 MW of new renewable capacityas well as major investment in the electricity transmission grid and around 1,500 MW of battery storage..
In July 2026, the World Bank also approved $265 million in financing for the Ifahsa pumped-storage power station near Chefchaouen. This 300 MW facility will work much like a giant battery: when electricity is abundant, water is pumped to an upper reservoir, then released later to generate power when the grid needs it.
It is far less spectacular than a vast solar field.
But it is probably one of the elements that will make it possible to install much more renewable capacity in the first place.
And despite all this… Morocco still relies heavily on fossil fuels
This may be the most important figure in this article.
According to an analysis published by the World Bank in 2026, fossil fuels still account for around 87% of Morocco’s primary energy consumption..
How is that possible when renewables have become so prominent in the electricity sector?
Because electricity is only one part of our energy consumption..
We also need to consider transport fuels, industrial energy needs, heating, certain production processes and many other uses that remain heavily dependent on oil, coal or gas.
This reveals another dimension of the energy transition: it is not only about climate.
It is also about energy independence..
The more a country relies on imported fuels, the more exposed it is to international price fluctuations, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to supply chains. Developing local resources such as solar and wind can therefore support both environmental goals and economic security.
The cleanest energy is sometimes the energy we do not need to produce
There is another area that receives far less attention than solar power plants: energy efficiency..
Producing more clean energy is essential.
But if our energy consumption continues to grow, some of these new investments simply go towards keeping up with ever-increasing demand.
Morocco’s national energy-efficiency strategy aims to achieve energy savings of around 20% by 2030.It focuses in particular on transport, industry, buildings and public lighting, with measures ranging from improving the energy performance of buildings to conducting audits in energy-intensive industries.
This dimension deserves much more attention.
A company that reduces energy losses, a better-designed building or a more efficient transport system all contribute to the transition.
Even without a solar panel visible on the roof.
And now, green hydrogen is entering the conversation
Morocco is also seeking to position itself in an emerging market: green hydrogen..
The principle is to use renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, which could then help decarbonise industries that are difficult to electrify directly or be converted into products such as ammonia. Morocco has launched a dedicated initiative for this sector, and several projects have already been pre-selected.
The economic potential is significant.
But once again, we need to look beyond the word green.
Producing hydrogen requires large amounts of renewable electricity, suitable infrastructure and water. In a region already facing water stress, IRENA rightly points out that the development of this industry must be considered alongside infrastructure, skills, supply chains and local realities.
In other words: a technology only becomes truly sustainable when we consider the entire system behind it, not just its label.
So, is Morocco on the right track?
Yes.
But the answer probably deserves a star.
The development of solar and wind power is real, investment is accelerating, and Morocco now has a solid foundation for continuing its transition. The 2025–2030 programme includes more than 15 GW of new electricity capacity, around 80% of which is expected to come from renewable sources.
But the next stages will probably be more complex than the first.
Morocco will need to produce more renewable energy, of course.
But it will also need to store it more effectively, strengthen the grid, use energy more intelligently, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and ensure that this transformation genuinely benefits businesses, communities and citizens.
Because a successful energy transition is not measured solely by the number of solar panels installed.
It is also measured by our ability to build a more resilient, more efficient energy system, one that is better suited to the realities of the country.
And perhaps that is where the most interesting part of the journey begins.