Morocco ranks 4th globally in hydrogen production capacity, says International Renewables Agency

Morocco has ranked 4th globally among the countries with the highest hydrogen manufacturing capacities, according to a recent study from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The international report revealed that the map of international energy trade will witness significant changes in upcoming years, coinciding with the emergence of several countries’ evolving clean energy race.

The report, titled “The Geopolitics of Energy Transition: The Hydrogen Factor,” indicated that Morocco is preparing to become a world leader in the export of green hydrogen, alongside Namibia and Chile. The agency estimated that hydrogen will cover up to 12% of global energy use by 2050.

Morocco ranked 4th globally among the countries with the highest hydrogen production capabilities, after Australia, Chile and Saudi Arabia, and ahead of many countries that currently occupy a large share of the oil and gas trade, namely the United States, Algeria, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

IRENA forecasts the list of future green hydrogen exporters based on several criteria, by taking advantage of low production costs and the ability to produce renewable energy that already exists.

Therefore, Morocco stands out to play a major role in attracting significant investments in the green hydrogen sector.

Morocco created a National Hydrogen Commission in 2019 and published a green hydrogen roadmap in January 2021. Hydrogen is mentioned as a key growth sector in the national economy.

By 2030, the country forecasts a local hydrogen market of 4 terawatt-hours (TWh) and an export market of 10 TWh, which, taken together, would require the construction of 6 GW of new renewable capacity and support the creation of more than 15 000 direct and indirect jobs (MEM, 2021).

10.69 billion dollars, equating to MAD 100 billion is allocated by Total Eren to a green hydrogen and ammonia production project in Guelmim-Oued Noun, south of Morocco.

The hybrid project, which will generate more than 10 GW by combining solar and wind energy, received, on November 25, 2021 the green light from the Regional Unified Investment Commission (CRUI).

According to the forecasts of the energy company, a subsidiary of the Eren Group, 30% owned by the French oil giant TotalEnergies, the project of Guelmim-Oued Noun will enter its active phase by 2025.

The first production is expected by 2027.

Thanks to its favorable climate and strategic positioning, the country has already signed several bilateral agreements to host hydrogen production infrastructures.