In 2024, Morocco's electricity landscape is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than two-thirds of its electricity generated from these sources, and coal alone making up over half of the total. Low-carbon electricity, while significant, makes up about a quarter of the total electricity generation, with wind power being the most substantial contributor at slightly more than one-fifth. Solar energy has a relatively modest share of close to 4%, and hydropower contributes barely over 1%. It's also notable that net imports account for just over 5% of the electricity mix. These numbers highlight the potential for growth in Morocco's clean energy sector, particularly if compared to fossil fuel usage which leads to climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Morocco?
Morocco's electricity consumption is on an upward trend, with the average usage per person rising to 1231 kWh in 2024, an increase of 56 kWh from the previous year. The growth is not only in quantity but also in the quality of the electricity used; clean, low-carbon electricity consumption per person has increased significantly, rising by 75 kWh to a new record of 319 kWh. This is encouraging as Morocco seeks to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns, however, there is still room for improvement. The consistent growth in electricity, especially clean electricity, is crucial for supporting development and addressing increasing demand due to factors like electrification and AI technologies.
Suggestions
To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Morocco could expand its successful wind energy sector, which already plays a significant role. Additionally, Morocco could take inspiration from countries like Denmark, where wind energy makes up more than half of their electricity production. Solar energy also presents a significant opportunity, as Morocco receives ample sunlight; lessons from Greece and Lebanon, where solar power comprises around a fifth and nearly a third of their electricity respectively, could prove beneficial. By focusing on these areas, Morocco can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Morocco shows a series of fluctuations over recent decades. From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, hydropower saw some ups and downs, including notable increases in 1996 and 2009, but also declines in 1999, 2011, and 2014. However, the more recent decade has witnessed a promising increase in wind energy, starting from a modest rise in 2013 and accelerating rapidly in 2024 with a significant leap. Solar energy, though a later entrant, has shown continuous growth from 2018 to 2023. This progressive trend in expanding wind and solar energy is commendable, yet it's important that future strategies further amplify this growth to support sustainable development.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.