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The head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, confirmed today in Ouarzazate that Morocco has embarked on a profound, gradual, and sustainable energy transformation since His Majesty King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne of his illustrious predecessors.
In his inaugural speech at the 16th Energy Conference, held under the theme “Energies: A Strategic Pillar for Water Security and Sustainable Development,” Akhannouch explained that the kingdom has invested in solar, wind, and hydropower, and recently in green hydrogen, in addition to establishing strong institutions and enhancing governance capabilities.
In this regard, he praised the significant work and key role played by institutions such as the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, and many other institutions in the exceptional dynamism seen in this sector in Morocco.
The head of government added that the kingdom has also succeeded in mobilizing leading international partners, especially from France, the guest of honor for this edition, by making a strategic choice to open this high-potential sector to private investment.
On another note, Akhannouch referenced the visit made to the Noor Ouarzazate complex, which allowed for the observation that its four stations are operational. He commended all the actors and workers for their remarkable mobilization and continuous commitment, expressing a desire “to go further, with the integration of more renewable energies in our production systems, in transport, housing, and agriculture, and to generalize low-carbon solutions in our cities, industries, and rural areas,” stressing that, parallel to this, innovative technologies such as green hydrogen must be fully invested in.
In this context, Akhannouch added that Morocco’s “offer” to develop the green hydrogen sector is currently being implemented in accordance with the royal instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and is part of the kingdom’s 15-year experience in renewable energy development and over 30 years of opening the energy sector to private investment.
Moreover, the head of government emphasized that the close link between energy and water has become a real challenge faced by many countries worldwide, highlighting the urgent need to establish a form of synergy between water and energy policies through an integrated, spatial, and multi-sectoral approach that combines technical engineering, economic intelligence, scientific research, and citizen participation.
He noted that “the water stress witnessed in Morocco over the past seven years necessitates a comprehensive rethink of our water policy,” stressing the need to integrate innovation at all stages of the water sector’s value chain in line with royal directives, starting from research and resource mobilization to distribution and reuse.
Faced with the worsening effects of climate change and its impact on water resources on one hand, and the increasing demand for water on the other, the kingdom has committed, in line with royal instructions, to implement an extensive seawater desalination program.
He added that supplying desalination plants with renewable energies enables us to achieve two main objectives: reducing the carbon footprint of desalination units and lowering the cost of each cubic meter of desalinated water, as is the case with the desalination project in Dakhla being carried out by Nareva Engy.
Akhannouch affirmed that "our national energy transition is based on a proactive vision that positions renewable energies as a fundamental pillar in our development path, energy sovereignty, and transition to a low-carbon economy."
He considered that these efforts cannot bear fruit without a framework of renewed governance, a wide openness to private investment, both national and international, and a clear, stable, and predictable legal organization.
In this context, Akhannouch added that the comprehensive reforms initiated by the government in the energy sector align perfectly with royal directives, noting that they aim to enhance the competitiveness of the sector, valorize local resources, and establish Morocco as a regional platform for energy production and exchange.
He concluded that Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, will continue its path steadfastly towards low-emission, equitable, and sustainable development by strengthening its partnerships and consolidating its position as a force for proposals and solutions on both the regional and international levels. This event is held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, with the Energy Federation organizing it, under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy and the Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies.
