L’Horizon 2030 marks a crucial milestone for Morocco, the culmination of ambitious national strategies in terms of energy and sustainable development. The organization of large-scale sporting events, such as the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the 2030 World Cup, plays a catalytic role in accelerating projects linked to renewable energies, the circular economy and natural resource management. These events are not only sporting competitions, but also strategic opportunities for long-term development and territorial equity.
Aware of the impact of these events, Morocco has been working for more than two decades to bring these infrastructures up to international standards. Indeed, major projects launched in the energy sector are progressing over the years and the results are convincing. Regarding the deployment of renewable energies, currently, a total installed capacity of more than 5.3 GW is already operational (around 44.3% of the total installed capacity), and an additional capacity of aroundron 7.5 GW of renewable energy is planned as part of the National Electrical Equipment Plan.
The probability of exceeding the initial objective of 52% share of renewable energies in installed electricity capacity before 2030 is high, according to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. Around 80 energy efficiency measures have been identified, covering the transport, buildings, industry, public lighting and agriculture sectors. Their implementation would allow a reduction in energy consumption of around 20% by 2030.
In addition, the electricity interconnection strategy with Europe and West Africa, as well as the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, strengthen Morocco’s role as a key player in regional integration. These efforts aim to respond to increased energy demand, while reducing the carbon footprint linked not only to the infrastructure projects underway in the country, but also to consumption peaks during and after these sporting events. “In Morocco, we have always been able to respond to historic consumption peaks. We have careful management of the electricity network and all stakeholders are working on optimal planning of energy infrastructure. declares Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. For the next 5 years, the emphasis is placed, among other things, on increasing the annual investment of 15.1 billion dirhams for renewable energies, the implementation of intelligent electricity networks (smart grids) allowing more efficient management. efficient production and distribution of electricity.
“As soon as these events were announced, we put in place programs in collaboration with other ministries, which we are reviewing in an agile and scalable manner to support all these projects, so that there is also a dimension of territorial equity. Because it is not only a question of developing projects around the six cities which host the World Cup, for example, but of driving a real dynamic of development at the territorial level. We hope for development due to the positive contagion effect of these events, and the economic and social impetus that they will give throughout the territory,” she adds.
At the same time, several host cities are upgrading their energy systems to meet the needs of stadiums and surrounding facilities. The construction of “green” infrastructure is part of a circular economy logic, integrating the recycling of materials and responsible management of resources. For example, certain stadiums are designed to capture and reuse rainwater, supplying their solar powered lighting and minimize water consumption.
Water management and circular economy
Faced with the water crisis, but also for better resource management, given the massive influx of visitors expected, Morocco is implementing ambitious solutions: large dams, seawater desalination and reuse of treated wastewater . With stations like those of Jorf Lasfar and Dakhla, the annual production capacity of desalinated water will reach 1.5 billion m³ by 2030. These infrastructures meet not only the needs of sports competitions, but also the daily demands of populations. local. “We invest in innovative technologies to ensure sustainable water management. Each desalination station integrates high energy efficiency systems to minimize its environmental impact,” explains Leïla Benali. In terms of waste management, Morocco relies on the principles of the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse Recycle, Recover).
The government, with the support of organizations such as the Coalition for Waste Recovery (Covad), aims to recycle 65% of waste produced nationally by 2030. This program, in addition to reducing landfill , contributes to the creation of thousands of green jobs, while promoting the emergence of a local industry specializing in waste treatment. At the start of the year, Minister Benali announced a budget of 6 billion dirhams for effective waste management in the six cities which will host the 2030 World Cup. The landfills of the host cities will benefit from a budget of 330 million dirhams for projects aimed at reducing the negative effects of household waste on the environment. Public-private partnerships have enabled the establishment of selective sorting and recycling systems.energy station, particularly in Tangier and Agadir. Furthermore, hotels are adopting technologies that reduce their environmental impact, such as gray water recycling systems.
A magnet for foreign investors
These sporting events reinforce Morocco’s visibility on the international scene as a destination for investments in clean energy and the circular economy. France, for example, has committed to financing an electric cable linking Casablanca to Dakhla and the Kénitra-Marrakech high-speed train line. Meanwhile, Chinese companies like Gotion High-Tech plan to set up electric battery factories, strengthening the country’s energy industrial base. These international partnerships, combined with avant-garde energy policies, consolidate Morocco’s positioning as a model of sustainability and innovation. They ensure both the success of sporting events and the emergence of a green and resilient economy, for the benefit of future generations.
