Morocco’s path toward sustainable energy practices is at odds with climate objectives, warns a recent report from Climate Action Tracker.
The report says that the country currently has no intentions to phase out fossil fuels from its power sector and is, in fact, heading in the opposite direction by bolstering its fossil fuel capacity.
At present, Morocco leans heavily on coal to meet its energy demands, with this non-renewable resource accounting for approximately two-thirds of the country’s power supply.
Alarmingly, Morocco’s government is embarking on the expansion of coal-based capacity while prolonging the operational lifespans of existing coal facilities, with plans extending well into the 2040s.
To align with the global 1.5°C warming target, Morocco faces a difficult challenge: it must drastically curtail coal power generation to just one-tenth of current levels by 2030 and entirely eliminate coal-based electricity production by 2040.
Achieving such a huge shift necessitates substantial international support.
Meanwhile, fossil gas remains a significant contributor to Morocco’s electricity generation, currently supplying roughly ten percent of the nation’s power needs.
Morocco’s trajectory in this regard also appears to conflict with climate goals. To achieve 1.5°C compatibility, Morocco must embark on the gradual phase-out of most of its fossil gas generation by 2030, with complete elimination anticipated by 2035.
Contrary to this imperative, the Moroccan government has outlined plans for the construction of an additional 450MW of fossil gas generation capacity by 2030. It is fortifying its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure to enhance supply diversification and security.
Renewable energy accounts for roughly one-fifth of Morocco’s electricity output. To align with the 1.5°C global warming target, this figure needs to skyrocket to approximately 90% by 2030.
While the government demonstrates support for renewable energy development and has established capacity targets for 2030 and 2050, it was unable to meet its 2020 capacity objective.
These targets, as they stand, may not suffice to generate the requisite levels of renewable energy for 1.5°C compatibility.
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