Clean energy dividend evades Moroccan citizens

Clean energy dividend evades Moroccan citizens

Morocco undershot its renewable energy target by 5 percentage points last year, when green power accounted for 37 per cent of its electricity. But, with a target of producing just over half its energy from renewable sources by 2030, the country still has one of the most ambitious clean energy programmes in the Middle East and north Africa region.

As the climate crisis pushes governments and companies to reduce their emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, Morocco is positioning itself as a clean energy leader with the potential to export energy to Europe and new technology to Africa.

Yet there are worries that an overly export-oriented renewable energy sector could be to the detriment of the local energy transition — and to the Moroccan population.

Climate observers view Morocco kindly, says Karim Elgendy, associate fellow at Chatham House and founder of Carboun, which advocates for sustainability in Mena cities. “[Morocco’s] emissions are less than two tonnes per person — that is less than the world average,” he notes. “So, for them to say they are going to do their bit, is encouraging.” 

Egypt is aiming to achieve 42 per cent renewable energy by 2035, Saudi Arabia is targeting 50 per cent by 2030 while