Morocco allocates 1 million hectares for green hydrogen

Morocco

RABAT, March 11, 2024 – Morocco will allocate 1 million hectares, around 10,000 square kilometres, to green hydrogen projects, Reuters reported on Monday.

The Moroccan government said it would offer an initial 300,000 hectares (3,000 square kilometres) in a bid to gain interest from investors. Around 100 investors have already expressed an interest in the programme.

The country is open to supporting integrated projects only, the report said, referring to projects that span the value chain from electrolysis to green hydrogen’s conversion into ammonia, methanol and synthetic fuel. These products could be for exports or domestic consumption.

While Morocco’s energy mix remains dominated by hydrocarbons, including coal, the country is targeting a minimum share of 52% of installed renewable power generation capacity by 2030. This includes 20% solar, 20% wind and 12% hydro.

The country ranks second in Africa for installed wind power capacity, which stands at 1.55 GW, according to the IEA. Only South Africa has a higher installed capacity.

As of early 2024, Morocco’s installed solar power capacity was 831 MW. The country’s rich solar potential – around 5 kWh per square metre per day – has been showcased in recent years via mega-projects such as the the 580-MW Noor-Ouarzazate complex, the world’s largest CSP plant.