Electricity in Morocco in 2023

In 2023, Morocco's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which make up more than three-quarters of the energy mix. The largest portion of electricity generated from fossil fuels comes from coal, accounting for more than 60%. Low-carbon energy sources contribute close to a fifth of the country's electricity, with wind energy being the dominant low-carbon source, responsible for almost 15% of the total generation. Solar energy provides nearly 5% of electricity, which, while modest, complements the significant contributions from wind. Gas, also part of the fossil energy category, contributes close to 5%, while net imports account for a bit over 4%. Hydropower adds a relatively minor component, just over 1%, to Morocco’s clean energy portfolio.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Morocco could focus on expanding its successful wind energy sector, already a substantial part of its clean energy supply. By continuing to innovate and invest in wind technology, Morocco can increase its wind energy share, similar to Denmark, where wind accounts for more than half of its electricity consumption. Additionally, examining the strategies employed by countries like Lithuania and Ireland, where wind energy makes up around a third of their electricity generation, could provide valuable insights. While nuclear energy is currently underexplored in Morocco, learning from countries such as France, where nuclear power represents a dominant share in electricity generation, could offer pathways for diversifying Morocco's low-carbon energy mix further.

History

Looking back, Morocco's low-carbon electricity journey has seen various shifts, particularly in hydro and wind energy. During the 1990s, hydropower experienced fluctuations, with notable declines in 1993 and 1999 and growth spurts in 1996 and 2003. The 2000s and 2010s saw more variability in hydro generation, with both increases and decreases such as the downturns in 2011 and 2014 and a significant rise in 2009. However, wind energy's progress has been more consistent since its emergence, experiencing a steady rise in the 2010s and into the 2020s, as seen in notable increases in 2013, 2014, and significant gains in 2023. Solar energy, though emerging later, has already shown promise with growth in 2018 and 2019, and again in 2023. This progression underscores Morocco's increasing commitment to developing clean and sustainable electricity solutions.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources