Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali praised Morocco’s approach to energy efficiency, which will achieve 20% energy savings by 2030 . Ms. Benali indicated that this approach takes into account several objectives set as part of the country’s sustainable development strategy, as well as the recommendations of the new development model.
During a meeting of the Public Finance Control Committee at the House of Representatives, focused on the financial management of the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE)Mr. Benali stressed that the new perspective takes into account the objectives of the National Sustainable Development Strategy (SNDD)as well as suggestions of the new development model, and that it targets the transportation, construction, industry, agriculture and lighting sectors.
Benali said more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects have been authorized during the current government’s tenure. These projects represent an investment of more than $1.8 billion and have already generated more than 300 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs.
The approach aims to ensure that “new investment projects respect the principles of energy efficiency”, explained Mr. Benali, adding that it integrates these measures “in public spending and state-supported programs.” He added that this made “energy efficiency an essential concern for professionals and citizens”.
Morocco is committed to further promoting its renewable energy assets as part of the country’s sustainable development strategy. The AMEE is updating this indicator, the minister announced, adding that the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the public lighting sector will reduce energy consumption by 40%.
green energy transition, with the main objective of generating 52% of its energy from clean renewable sources by 2030.
-The government has launched an innovative initiative that rewards citizens who achieve energy savings in their electricity consumption, which has resulted in a 3% drop in energy consumption.
The minister described energy efficiency as “second pillar” of Morocco’s national energy strategy, presenting a promising area for job creation in the energy sector. It is also expected to create 100,000 jobs by 2030, the minister said, noting that energy savings of 6.58% were recorded in 2020.
The target is achievable as the country has large-scale renewable energy projects, including the Noor Ouarzazate complex, which produces around 580 MW and is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world.
For his part, the Director General of AMEE, Mohamed Benyahya, stressed that this bill aims to give new responsibilities to the Agency, particularly in terms of decarbonization of different sectors of the national economy and promotion of the circular economy, in particular through the recovery of waste from industrial activities.
In his presentation, Mr. Benyahya specified that this institutional reform aims to promote complementarity between energy efficiency, decarbonization and the good use of resources within the framework of the circular economy, while filling certain institutional gaps to strengthen the role of the Agency through monitoring, measurement and verification mechanisms.
