Recent gas discoveries in Morocco far from being solution to energy concerns

The discovery of natural gas by two British companies in Morocco hailed as “promising” and “major,” is far from being large enough for the country to become energy independent.

Minister of Energy Leila Benali told MPs on Tuesday that recent discoveries on their own do not resolve Morocco’s gas issues.

Morocco’s domestic gas production is expected to amount to 110 million cubic meters this year. That is far from sufficient to cover increasing needs for gas, expected to be triple in 2040 of the one billion cubic meters consumed in 2021.

As of now, the country has secured more than 80 percent of electricity demands since November 2021.

Benali said was covered by coal, fuel, diesel, the import of electricity from neighboring countries, and some photovoltaic projects.

Eyes on renewables

She said her ministry is eyeing to secure at least 30 years of gas supply, with a sharp focus on renewables. By 2040, she said, 70% of Morocco’s energy needs would be covered by renewables.

By 2080, this figure is set to rise to 80%.

But current goals to achieve 52 percent of Morocco’s electrical power from renewable energy in 2030 may be tricky to reach.

“With 61 projects under development or under implementation, a total capacity estimated at 4.6 gigawatts, and an investment of approximately 53 billion dirhams, this still remains insufficient,” said the minister.

Benali said that new initiatives and programs have been launched to support investments in renewable energies

This includes a program with a total capacity of 400 megawatts on the implementation of solar photovoltaic projects.

Another program is underway to desalinate seawater with renewable energies in Dakhla.

Another seeks to provide industrial areas with clean electric energy, such as in the industrial zone in Kenitra.