In a context where renewable energy projects are experiencing strong growth in Morocco, players like Nareva, ACWA Power, ENGIE, and Xlinks play a key role in this energy transition. However, nearly 40% of these initiatives encounter delays, often linked to problems of social acceptability and local environmental impact. Faced with these challenges, Sand to Green, a Franco-Moroccan start-up, stands out for its innovative approach. Specializing in agroforestry adapted to arid and semi-arid environments, the company offers solutions that combine sustainable development and harmonious integration of energy infrastructures. The CEO and co-founder of Sand to Green, Benjamin Rombaut, agreed to answer our questions about the environmental and societal challenges posed by the expansion of renewable energies and the responses to them.
How is Sand to Green positioned to meet the challenges linked to the social and environmental integration of energy projects?
Morocco is in the midst of an energy transition, with the ambition to become a world leader in renewable energies, particularly in the green hydrogen sector by exploiting its natural resources of sun and wind. However, 40% of renewable energy projects* encounter delays due to issues of social acceptability and environmental impacts. It is in this context that Sand to Green positions itself as a key player in the integration of social and environmental issues within energy projects through its regenerative agriculture model. By using technologies such as desalination, agroforestry adapted to environments, carbon models, etc. we transform drylands into viable agricultural ecosystems. This approach not only captures carbon and restores soil, but also creates sustainable jobs for local communities, thus strengthening the social acceptability of energy projects. By integrating these solutions into energy projects, we provide a holistic response that takes into account both clean energy needs and the imperatives of social and environmental sustainability.
What, in your opinion, are the main obstacles to the social acceptability of renewable energy projects in Morocco and Africa?
One of the major obstacles to the social acceptability of renewable energy projects in Morocco and Africa is the perception of an imbalance between the benefits for companies and those for local communities. Too often, rural populations see these projects as external initiatives that do not directly bring economic or social benefits on their scale. To overcome this obstacle, it is essential to integrate communities into the process, involving them from the start of the project. At Sand to Green, we ensure our projects have a direct impact on communities by creating local jobs and promoting food security through dryland regeneration.
With the expected increase in global electricity demand by 2050, how can Morocco and Africa adapt to meet these needs while respecting social issues?
Morocco and Africa have immense potential in terms of renewable resources, notably solar and wind, which are major assets to meet the expected increase in global electricity demand by 2050. To meet this challenge while respecting social issues, it is essential to implement integrated energy projects that combine the exploitation of renewable energies and local development initiatives. At Sand to Green, we take an innovative approach by using renewable energy to desalinate water, creating agricultural oases in deserts. This strategy not only generates essential agricultural resources, but also captures carbon, contributes to the fight against desertification, and above all, creates sustainable local jobs that improve the living conditions of rural communities.
Additionally, by integrating technologies such as regenerative agroforestry, we optimize the use of natural resources while preserving biodiversity and reducing pressure on arable land. By combining these approaches with large-scale energy projects, Morocco and Africa have the capacity to become world leaders in the energy transition.
The production of biogenic CO2 from biomass is an emerging sector in Morocco. How can Sand to Green contribute to developing this type of innovative agricultural sector?
Sand to Green is perfectly positioned to contribute to the development of the biogenic CO2 sector thanks to its expertise in agroforestry in arid zones. This sector is crucial for creating sustainable energy sources while regenerating degraded soils. To avoid competing with arable land, we are developing plantations in deserts, combining agricultural production and biomass while capturing carbon and combating desertification.
Additionally, we use brine from desalination to cultivate biomass via biosaline agriculture, thereby maximizing the use of available resources. This approach makes it possible to valorize biomass and agricultural residues, creating a circular economy that supplies industrial processes with biogenic CO2, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Can you give us an overview of Sand to Green’s current projects and the impact you have already had on local communities in Morocco?
Currently, Sand to Green has launched several pilot projects in Morocco, including initiatives to restore traditional oases in Tiskmoudine, Tighmert, and Abeynoun, as well as projects to create oases on land of 20 to 40 hectares. By applying our innovative agroforestry models, these projects demonstrate the effectiveness of our technologies, which combine solar desalination and agroforestry.
These initiatives not only produce significant agricultural yields; they also generate carbon credits and create sustainable jobs for local communities. Through these projects, we improve the resilience of populations to desertification, while strengthening food security and providing additional income. The direct impact on communities translates into a better quality of life and long-term economic opportunities in often marginalized areas. We also have projects underway in Senegal, Namibia and Mauritania.
How can Sand to Green projects in Morocco and Africa be replicated in other regions of the world?
The solutions developed by Sand to Green are perfectly suited to be replicated in other regions of the world facing problems of desertification and water stress. Our turnkey approach is specifically designed for arid and semi-arid ecosystems, whose similar characteristics facilitate the replication of our projects. In addition, by standardizing our agroforestry model, we have made it compatible with often standardized energy projects, which simplifies integration.
We also plan to license our technologies so that other players can deploy similar projects at scale. Our model can thus contribute to the fight against climate change and the restoration of soils in regions ranging from sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East, to Australia and South America.
* (Source : Science Direct)
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