Electricity in Morocco in 2023

The current state of electricity consumption in Morocco, based on our forecast model which uses actual data for the first nine months of 2023 and forecasted data for the remaining three months, shows a significant reliance on fossil fuels. Morocco's total electricity generation is around 50 TWh, with more than half of this coming from fossil sources like coal and gas. Specifically, coal alone accounts for nearly 28 TWh, while gas generates around 2 TWh. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources like wind and solar contribute to almost 9 TWh, with wind producing roughly 6 TWh and solar just over 2 TWh. Net imports supplement the supply with close to 2 TWh. Compared to the global average of 432 watts per person, Morocco's electricity consumption per person is relatively low, which can limit economic growth and access to modern amenities, further emphasizing the need for enhanced low-carbon energy capacity.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Morocco can focus on expanding its existing wind and solar infrastructure. Wind energy, already a significant contributor, can be scaled up by learning from successful countries. For example, China produces an impressive 886 TWh from wind, showcasing effective policy implementation and technological scalability. Similarly, the U.S. generates 425 TWh from wind. Solar energy, too, holds promise; China and India produce 584 TWh and 113 TWh from solar, respectively. By emulating successful strategies from these nations, Morocco can boost its own clean energy contributions, simultaneously reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing the detrimental effects of climate change and air pollution.

History

Tracing the history of low-carbon electricity in Morocco reveals a series of developments, particularly in hydro, wind, and solar energy. The early 1990s saw variable hydroelectric output, with fluctuations like a decrease of 0.5 TWh in 1993 followed by an increase of 1.3 TWh in 1996. Between 2009 and 2011, hydroelectric generation was volatile, with a notable increase of 1.6 TWh in 2009 but a decrease of 1.5 TWh by 2011. Starting in 2013, there was a steady rise in wind energy, increasing by 0.6 TWh each year until 2015 and an additional 0.8 TWh in 2018. Solar energy began contributing significantly by 2018 with 0.5 TWh, and in recent years, both wind and solar saw considerable growth, adding 0.9 TWh and 0.7 TWh respectively in 2023. These trends illustrate Morocco's ongoing commitment to enhancing its sustainable energy portfolio, which is essential for a sustainable and resilient future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources