Electricity in Morocco in 2024
Currently, the electricity landscape in Morocco is predominantly characterized by its reliance on fossil fuels, which account for more than two-thirds of the country's electricity generation. Coal contributes the most within this category, accounting for just over half of the electricity generation. Low-carbon energy sources provide about a quarter of Morocco's electricity, with wind energy being the most significant player among these, contributing a little over one-fifth. Solar and hydropower contribute smaller amounts to the electricity grid, with solar generating almost 4% and hydropower close to 1%. Additionally, a modest portion of electricity demand, about 6%, is met through net imports. This indicates a significant dependence on non-clean energy, leaving room for developing a more sustainable energy mix.
Suggestions
Morocco has significant potential to increase its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its wind energy production further. Already being a leader in wind energy among low-carbon sources at over 21%, Morocco can look to countries such as Denmark, where wind energy contributes to more than half of the electricity generation, as a model for further growth. Learning from Denmark's strategic placement of offshore wind farms could help optimize Morocco's wind capabilities. Additionally, while Morocco isn't utilizing nuclear energy, exploring this option could diversify its clean energy mix. Drawing inspiration from France, where nuclear energy accounts for an impressive 68% of the electric mix, Morocco could evaluate nuclear as a long-term strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependency and supplement its clean energy portfolio further.
History
Historically, Morocco has seen various shifts in its low-carbon electricity generation, notably in wind and solar sectors over recent years. The early developments of hydroelectric power saw fluctuations, such as significant growth in 1996 and declines in 1999 and 2011. Since 2013, Morocco has consistently bolstered its wind power capacity with steady annual increases, notably gaining momentum in 2018 onward, culminating in a substantial increase by 3.3 TWh in 2024. Solar power has similarly been on the rise since its introduction in 2018, experiencing consistent growth each year. This ongoing trend underscores Morocco's commitment to enhancing its clean energy footprint, setting a foundation for potential expansion into other low-carbon technologies such as nuclear energy, which would support a more sustainable electricity future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.