Investing 130 Billion Dirhams in a Royal Vision and a Strategic Moroccan-Emirati Partnership
In a practical step that reflects Morocco’s commitment to ensuring its water and energy security, Energy Morocco has announced the launch of a massive investment program in partnership with Nareva, the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water, and the Mohammed VI Investment Fund. This project, which is set to cost 130 billion dirhams by 2030, comes in line with the royal directives aimed at strengthening national infrastructure and achieving sovereignty over vital resources, representing the fruitful cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, as outlined in the joint statement by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The project falls within a comprehensive vision to develop vital infrastructure, focusing on the establishment of seawater desalination plants with a total capacity of up to 900 million cubic meters annually, alongside implementing the "Water Highway" project to transfer 800 million cubic meters of water from the south to the central regions. This step is crucial for enhancing water security and addressing climate change impacts.
On the energy front, the program emphasizes increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, with plans to develop 1,200 megawatts of green projects, in addition to restarting the gas plant in Tahaddart with a capacity of 400 megawatts and launching an additional expansion of 1,100 megawatts through combined cycle projects. A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line with a capacity of 3,000 megawatts will also be constructed to connect the south of the kingdom with the north, enhancing the electrical grid’s resilience and contributing to greater integration of clean energy.
Financing will be jointly managed between Energy Morocco and Nareva at an equal ratio, with the Mohammed VI Investment Fund contributing 15%, along with participation from other public stakeholders, clearly demonstrating the kingdom’s desire to mobilize all economic forces to implement major strategic projects.
Abdelmajid Al-Iraqi Al-Husseini, chairman of the board of directors of Energy Morocco, noted that this partnership represents a sustainable transformation in the national water and energy landscape, aligned with royal orientations aimed at enhancing water and energy sovereignty, and accelerating the transition toward a low-carbon economy. He clarified that the program does not just secure vital resources but also accelerates the company’s growth portfolio and contributes to strengthening national infrastructure.
In light of this momentum, this project emerges as a strategic pivot positioning Morocco on a new path towards comprehensive development based on utilizing renewable resources and managing water sustainably, entirely in harmony with the royal vision for the future. The most significant challenge today remains ensuring the effective and prompt execution of this colossal project, positively impacting the daily lives of Moroccan citizens and enhancing the kingdom’s independence in its vital resources.
