In its quest to ensure energy independence and sufficiency, Morocco has left no stone unturned. Despite a massive renewable energy program, the Moroccan government is nearing the activation of a national program to utilize nuclear plants for energy production.
Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, confirmed the news while answering an oral question in the House of Councilors this Tuesday, saying that “the Kingdom has conducted an evaluation for the use of nuclear energy in electricity production back in 2015.”
This year, Benali’s ministry prepared a report, which will be presented to parliament this year, in order to activate the evaluation’s recommendations and further Morocco’s interests in nuclear power production.
“The report includes recommendations for going nuclear,” Benali said, adding that the recommendations cover the framework and infrastructure as well as legislation for nuclear power projects, which will ensure the safe exploration of this clean energy source.
The Minister stated that a nuclear program will require an infrastructure and human resources that, according to the official, “Morocco has.” The authority “now needs a national decision to start producing electricity from nuclear power,” revealed the official.
According to the Minister, this administration has explored the possible exploitation of nuclear-generated electricity to activate the government’s water desalination stations, which has proven to be promising.
As the Ministry explores the possibilities while studying the findings of this recent report, Benali pointed out that Morocco has an important database and experience, which are a vital part of the necessary preparations prior to a national decision to produce electricity from nuclear energy.
This recent study comes at a time when Morocco is grappling with energetic insecurity, as the government accelerates plans that will enable the kingdom to ensure energetic sufficiency.
Considering the growing demand for electricity, and the halt of Algerian gas exports, Morocco is no longer satisfied with a unique energy source to meet domestic demand.
The interest in nuclear energy also comes along with a global increase in oil and gas prices on the international market, which reached record highs, directly affecting the energy bill in Morocco.
Fuel constitutes a large proportion of the cost of electricity production in the Kingdom, accounting for nearly 44% in 2021, and is expected to rise to 64% in 2022. Faced with the international geopolitical uncertainty and the fluctuant energy costs, nuclear energy may be the gateway to diversifying clean and renewable energy sources in the country.
Morocco seeks to raise the share of renewable energy in the national electricity mix to 52% by 2030, 20% of which is expected to come from solar energy.
As the Minister pointed out, “Morocco has invested in solar and wind power, and is now eyeing nuclear power to ensure its electricity needs in the future.”
However, as clarified by the Minister, the nuclear option has been on the Moroccan government’s radar since the 1980s, but has never materialized.
Earlier this May, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and framework agreement of cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, to further research between both countries.
Minister Benali stated that Morocco and Saudi Arabia will explore investment opportunities and financing in both countries, in accordance with domestic and international requirements and laws, to further renewable energy projects.
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