Solar Energy Resource and Power Generation in Morocco: Current Situation, Potential, and Future Perspective

Rania Benbba, Majd Barhdadi, Antonio Ficarella, Giovanni Manente, Maria Pia Romano, Nizar El Hachemi, Abdelfettah Barhdadi, Ahmed Al-Salaymeh and Abdelkader Outzourhit ()
Additional contact information
Rania Benbba: Laboratory of Materials Energy and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Majd Barhdadi: Modeling and Decision Support Systems Team, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Antonio Ficarella: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Giovanni Manente: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Maria Pia Romano: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Nizar El Hachemi: Modeling and Decision Support Systems Team, Mohammadia School of Engineers, Mohammed V University, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Abdelfettah Barhdadi: Semiconductors Physics and Solar Energy Team, Energy Research Centre, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Mohammed V University, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Ahmed Al-Salaymeh: Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Abdelkader Outzourhit: Laboratory of Materials Energy and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Resources, 2024, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-38

Abstract: The world’s attention is currently focused on the energy transition to sustainable energy. The drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit global warming, energy security, and the generalization of access to energy have contributed to the adoption of the Moroccan Energy Strategy, with a strong focus on renewable energy (RE). Morocco is notoriously poor in conventional primary fossil energy resources, with energy dependence on the order of 90%. In addition, the energy crisis that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, compounded with steady increase in demand, has heavily affected the security and stability of the country’s energy situation. The transition to RE by strongly engaging in the implementation of several solar, wind, and hydro energy projects has made the country the leader in RE in Africa. These projects benefit from the country’s excellent solar and wind energy potential. As a consequence, by 2030, the share of RE in the installed capacity is expected to reach 52%. An overview of the current situation of RE (particularly solar energy) in Morocco is provided, including the potentials, obstacles, challenges, and future perspectives. Thanks to its high solar potential, it is predictable that Morocco’s effort will be focused on this field: the Erasmus plus INNOMED project is a virtuous example of international cooperation, aiming at promoting solar energy through capacity building and the creation of solar energy networks, in synergy with EU Partners.

Keywords: solar energy; photovoltaic; CSP; solar thermal; Morocco; renewable energy; sustainable development; strategic investment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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