Morocco topped the list of Arab countries in coal consumption in 2024, despite a 9.3% decrease compared to the previous year, according to recent data from the Energy Research Unit.
The kingdom’s consumption reached 0.27 exajoules, down from 0.29 in 2023, while coal’s share in the electricity production mix fell to 59.3%, the lowest level since 2017.
The UAE came in second in Arab coal consumption at 0.11 exajoules, followed by Egypt at 0.07, and both Algeria and Saudi Arabia at 0.01 exajoules each. Although there remains a significant reliance on coal for electricity generation, indicators point towards a clear trend in the energy transition, especially with the growing contribution of renewable energy sources.
Wind energy in Morocco has seen a notable increase, surpassing 21% of total electricity production, making it the second-largest source of electricity in the country. Amid this transition, the kingdom has closed traditional coal plants with a total capacity of 165 megawatts and has scrapped planned projects with a capacity of 1.67 gigawatts.
These actions are part of a national strategy aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing the share of clean energy, in pursuit of energy sovereignty and lowering carbon emissions in line with Morocco’s climate commitments and sustainable development goals.
