Morocco, a key player in the MENA region

Morocco has the most advanced green energy ecosystem in North Africa and is on track to achieve its 2030 target of producing 52% of its electricity from renewable energy sources, underlines the Middle East Institute (MEI).

“Morocco’s green energy ecosystem is anchored in the nexus between food, water and energy, with renewable energy increasingly used for fertilizer production and water desalination for agricultural sector, which consumes approximately 89% of the national water supply,” underlines the American think tank, based in Washington, in a recent study.

“Given that the agricultural sector accounts for approximately 21% of national exports, greening its agri-food production will establish new international renewable energy supply chains through food exports,” the study explains.

Titled: “The emergence of the MENA region as a hub of renewable energy supply chains”, the report highlights that OCP, benefiting from control over 73% of global phosphate reserves, is the fourth largest exporter in the world fertilizer and is in the process of replacing all its natural gas-derived ammonia inputs with locally produced green ammonia.

“The company strives to achieve carbon neutrality in all its operations by 2040 through the construction of infrastructure dedicated to the production of renewable energy,” writes the analysis, indicating that Morocco plans to export 1 to 3 million tonnes of green ammonia per year.

Indeed, one of OCP’s most important commitments for sustainable development is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. To achieve this, it continuously adapts its operations and its energy consumption on its sites. of production. “We are targeting a 50% reduction in total Co2 emissions as well as a continuous improvement in air quality by increasing the number of real-time emissions monitoring systems and gas washing units.

Furthermore, the study notes that the main industrial pillar of Morocco’s green energy ecosystem is the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EV) and batteries for this type of automobile, as well as mining and metal processing. which are associated with it.

“Renewable energy will be used in EV production, starting with phosphate and phosphoric acid for the manufacture of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. In addition, the recycling of EV batteries to obtain lithium and other metals, which is underway, will ultimately be powered by renewable sources,” notes the study.

Beyond battery metals, she continues, Morocco is developing other green metal production. “In December 2022, the Kingdom produced its first shipment of green steel with 100% of the material recycled in Morocco and 85% of the processing powered by renewable energy. If Morocco has not yet produced green aluminum, it will inaugurate an aluminum waste recovery plant in 2024,” explains the American think-tank.

“These green metals could also be used for automobile components and car bodies as well as in exports of aeronautical components,” estimates the think-tank.

On April 30, 2024, it should be remembered, the Jordanian company Alucop inaugurated its new copper and aluminum smelter in Berrechid, in the presence of the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour.

This initiative aims to recycle non-ferrous metal waste, mainly from the highly polluting construction sector, thus promoting the circular economy and preservation of the environment.

Thus, Alucop is committed to reducing the problem by recycling metals from this waste. With a total amount of 95 million dirhams, this project enabled the creation of 110 new direct jobs and the generation of additional turnover of more than 700 million dirhams.

“Through the inauguration of the new industrial unit of the Alucop company today, we are celebrating an event of capital importance for Moroccan industry. This is an exceptional moment in the economic development of society, reflecting a royal vision aimed at bringing about a new green economy, a real engine of growth and dynamism,” declared Mr. Mezzour.

The promotion of a circular economy and the development of waste recovery sectors are crucial to succeed in Morocco’s transition to a green economy that creates wealth and employment, he added.

For his part, the general director of Alucorp, Yazid El Ali, stressed that this project is aligned with the government program aimed at stimulating and fully developing the ecosystems of the mechanical and metallurgical sector.

“We aspire to be a corporate citizen and to promote the “Made in Morocco” brand on the international and national scene,” he said.

As for the impact of the project on the Moroccan economy, Mr. El Ali explained that recycling helps reduce expenses linked to the extraction of new metal resources, thus limiting the need to extract more raw materials.

Furthermore, the MEI predicts that the Middle East and North Africa region will become one of the highest producing regions of renewable energy in the world and a hub for international renewable energy supply chains in Next 25 years. “Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan will spearhead this trend in the region by developing their respective green energy ecosystems,” argues the MEI. In the opinion of experts from this British think tank, several countries in this region will then have to develop their own green energy ecosystems and/or integrate with those already developed by their neighbors to increase their capacities and participate in energy chains. international supplies.

To support this emergence of the MENA region as a hub for international renewable energy supply chains, the MEI believes that measures should be taken. Among these measures, the creation of a MENA regional platform for the export of green ammonia and the promotion of private sector investments in the production of green fertilizers in Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan and in Sudan.