In its latest report, the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (ANRE) analyzed Morocco’s energy landscape in 2023, highlighting significant progress in the development of renewable energies and in the energy mix. Unveiled on December 25, the document highlights achievements in expanding installed capacities and contributions from green energy.
Thus, Morocco’s total electricity production in 2023 reached 42.38 TWh, marking an increase of 2.3% compared to 2022. Renewable energies contributed 21.7%, an increase of 22.7% compared to the previous year.
Although coal-fired electricity generation declined by 6.6%, it remains the dominant energy source, accounting for 64% of the energy mix. At the same time, electricity produced from fuel and diesel decreased by 58.6%, accounting for 3.8% of total production.
For its part, natural gas production climbed to 10% of the total, marking the largest increase in four years, thanks to Morocco’s entry into the international market with its first purchase agreement signed in 2022.
The report notes a clear upward trend in electricity production in Morocco since 2010, driven largely by significant growth in renewable energies, notably solar and wind. However, production based on fossil fuels, notably natural gas, fuel oil and diesel, still largely in the majority, has experienced fluctuations, while hydroelectric production has fallen since 2018, with the succession of years of drought.
Growing demand for electricity
National electricity demand in 2023 reached 43.95 TWh, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2022. 96.3% of this demand was met by national production. Between 2010 and 2023, electricity demand increased by an average of 4% per year, with the exception of a decline in 2020, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regarding the distribution of electricity sales, ONEE holds 52.4% of the shares, delegated managers contribute 22.1%, local authorities 11.8% and large direct customers 13.7%. %. Exchanges via interconnections with Spain amounted to 1,839 GWh, representing 3.4% of Morocco’s total demand.
The total installed capacity of renewable energy sources reached 4,618 MW in 2023, or +11.1% compared to the previous year. Renewable energies now represent 40.4% of total installed capacity, with production amounting to 9,189 GWh, or 21.7% of the total.
Progress in renewable energy
In detail, ANRE reports that solar capacity increased from 20 MW in Ain Bni Mathar to 831 MW with NOOR projects, while wind capacity increased from 220 MW in 2010 to 2,017 MW in 2023. However, hydroelectric and pumped storage plants have shown limited progress, with Afourer (460 MW) operational since 2004 and Abdelmoumen (350 MW) nearing completion.
Hydraulic energy, affected by water stress, represents only 1.2% of total production in 2023, with 516 GWh of production, compared to 679 GWh in 2022. Wind projects like Aftissat 2 (200 MW) and Boujdour ( 318 MW) brought wind capacity to 2,017 MW, or 17.7% of the total installed capacity. Wind generation represented 15.4% of total electricity production and 71% of renewable energy production.
In 2023, solar energy contributed 5.1% to national production, generating 2,148 GWh, an increase of 48.15% compared to 2022. Solar installations represented 7.3% of the total installed capacity and 18% of the renewable energy mix, with 88% of solar energy produced by MASEN installations and 12% by ONEE installations.
