Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, held talks in Paris on Friday, June 6, 2025, with Marc Férachi, the French Minister for Industry and Energy. This working visit was dedicated to enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, electrical interconnection, and energy transition.
The visit aligns with the momentum initiated by the French President’s trip to Morocco from October 28 to 30, 2024, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. This trip resulted in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in the areas of energy, industrial sovereignty, and electrical interconnection.
The agreement reinforces the mutual trust between Rabat and Paris and reflects a shared commitment to developing effective energy cooperation that addresses supply challenges, industrial sovereignty, and competitiveness, while supporting the industrial base in both countries.
The discussions focused on the progress of the underwater electrical interconnection project between Morocco and France, particularly the offshore and bidirectional connections. Both sides emphasized the technical and regulatory aspects that need to be completed to launch the international market test, considering the complex nature of the project, which requires laying an underwater cable at unprecedented depths.
Additionally, investment opportunities in clean energy sectors such as cables, solar energy, wind energy, batteries, and industrial components were also addressed.
The talks also covered the potential for interconnection through “green molecules” such as hydrogen and ammonia, and their use in transportation, aviation, and the maritime sector, stressing the importance of industrial integration in this area.
Research and innovation were among the meeting’s priorities, particularly in sustainable mobility, energy storage, and electrolyzer technologies, with both parties agreeing to enhance cooperation between specialized institutions in the two countries.
The meeting renewed the political and institutional commitment to developing a practical partnership between Morocco and France and to shaping exemplary energy projects that contribute to achieving energy sovereignty and accelerating the transition towards a low-carbon economy, in line with King Mohammed VI’s vision of making Morocco a regional player in clean energy.
