Finance News Weekly: As the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the 2030 World Cup approach, what are the ministry’s main objectives in terms of energy transition for these major sporting events?
Leila Benali : The ministry has put in place ambitious objectives regarding the organization of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, aligned with our global vision of the energy transition. The objective is twofold: to meet the organizational requirements of these major events while guaranteeing the sustainability of the infrastructure. These sporting events represent a major opportunity to accelerate the implementation of our strategy, which is based on three axes:
• Deployment of renewable energies: Over the past two decades, Morocco has made massive investments in the field of renewable energies. The country has regularly increased its ambitions in this area. 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 around 7.5 GW of renewable energy is planned under the National electrical equipment plan. Today, we are able to exceed our initial objective of 52% share of renewable energies in installed electricity capacity before 2030.
• Promotion of energy efficiency: Alongside the development of renewable energies, Morocco continues its efforts to promote energy efficiency. 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 our energy consumption of around 20% by 2030. And this objective should be even more ambitious given the proven energy saving niches.
• Regional integration: The 2030 World Cup provides an opportunity to highlight Morocco’s role as a key player in regional integration. We are the only African country connected to Europe, logistically and commercially, but also in terms of energy (electricity and gas). Morocco is now designated as a “connector” country among a group of 5 countries, which are emerging as important links in the reconfiguration of global value chains. With the acceleration of the global energy transition and thanks to our country’s exceptional potential in renewable energies and green fuels, the Kingdom aspires to become the essential energy corridor connecting Europe, Africa (including the Sahel) and the Atlantic Basin. .
FNH: How does the ministry plan to guarantee a sustainable and reliable energy supply for venues during these events, particularly in the event of consumption peaks during matches?
L. B. : 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. For the next 5 years, we are focusing on:
• The increase in annual investment of 15.1 billion DH (MMDH) for renewable energies between 2023-2027, compared to 3.5 billion DH annually between 2009-2022 (i.e. an increase in the annual rate of around four times).
• The increase in the annual rate of development of renewable energy projects (1,400 MW instead of 160 MW during the period 2009-2022). • Increased investments in the transmission network (multiplication by 5 compared to the past decade).
• Implementation of smart grids, technologies whose integration will enable more efficient management of electricity production and distribution. This dynamic is reinforced by the ongoing reform of the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (ANRE), which aims to extend its scope to new segments (natural gas, hydrogen, etc.) and across the entire value chain: production, storage, transport, distribution. This will make it possible to improve the regulatory and legislative framework, with a set of amended or revised laws, as well as a new institutional architecture for the sector.
These measures will not only manage peak consumption during matches, but also leave a lasting legacy in energy infrastructure and building energy resilience for decades to come.
FNH: The preliminary assessment of the carbon footprint during the 2030 World Cup estimated emissions at 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the majority of which is linked to air traffic. What renewable technologies and energy innovations do you plan to deploy to reduce the carbon footprint of this event?
L. B. : The carbon footprint of major sporting events is a global issue. Our goal is to mitigate it as much as possible and move towards greater sustainability in all aspects of these events. For Morocco, achieving our renewable energy targets before 2030 is already a major step towards significantly reducing our emissions. Morocco is resolutely committed to an ambitious path to decarbonization. To achieve this, we benefit from a favorable framework which was established 15 years ago with the announcement of our energy strategy. Regarding the specific subject of air transport, we work closely with ecosystem partners on decarbonization avenues, such as the development of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). We believe that innovation must play a central role in our energy transition strategy. Furthermore, we also want to promote sustainable mobility, with several examples of projects:
• Extension of the Tramway and/or Busway network in large cities; • Tourist circuit project in Rabat via ecological buses; • High-speed line: LGV connecting the cities of Casablanca and Marrakech in preparation for the 2030 Football World Cup.
FNH: What public-private partnerships are planned to finance energy transition projects linked to these international meetings and encourage sustainable investments?
L. B. : Morocco has long been convinced of the need for private sector involvement in energy infrastructure. Moreover, one of the first independent power generation (IPP) plants in the MENA region, in 1994, was developed in Morocco. The Moroccan PPP model for electricity production has made it possible to optimize the design of electrical projects, through better sizing of the investment and implementation of best industrial management practices. With the development of renewable energies in Morocco, over the last 15 years, we have capitalized a lot on our expertise in public-private partnerships, and we have put in place a legislative framework favorable to these partnerships (law 13-09 and Masen law ). For projects under development, we still count on the participation of the private sector, not only in electricity generation projects, but also in the field of electric transmission.
FNH: At the start of the year, you mentioned the provision of a budget of 6 billion dirhams for waste management in the 5 host cities selected for the World Cup, as well as a special program targeting municipalities whose budget is estimated at 330 MDH. How are these measures deployed in these cities… And what are the opportunities for local businesses operating in recycling and waste management?
L. B. : We have proposed a new vision of integrated and sustainable waste management as part of Morocco’s preparations for the organization of the 2030 World Cup. This vision is based on the provisions of framework law 99-12 relating to the Charter environment and sustainable development, as well as the orientations of the National Sustainable Development Strategy, while taking into account the requirements of the specifications of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for this global event. This vision emphasizes integrated and sustainable waste management, taking into account the entire value chain, from collection to recovery. The introduction of bi-stream collection, which allows waste to be separated recyclable organic waste upon collection, represents a key element of this vision. In this context, priority was given to the creation of new controlled landfills or the modernization of existing landfills in the six cities hosting the 2030 World Cup events (Tangier, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir). The estimated cost of these projects amounts to around 6 billion dirhams. Furthermore, a specific management method, adapted to small and medium-sized municipalities, where waste contains a high proportion of organic matter (around 80%), has been put in place. This management method proposes the installation of a composting unit coupled with a manual sorting platform to extract recyclable or recoverable waste. The implementation of these projects is part of the new National Household Waste Recovery Program (PNVDM 2023-2034), whose overall budget is estimated at 21.14 billion dirhams. This program aims, among other things, to generalize the professionalized collection of household waste, to modernize and expand controlled landfills, to close abandoned uncontrolled landfills and to improve the waste recovery rate to reach 25% by 2034. The launch and implementation of this project to upgrade the waste management sector will play an important role in boosting the green economy at the national level. This promotes job creation in key sectors such as waste collection, treatment and recycling. Furthermore, this project encourages the development of circular practices, innovative and sustainable solutions, reducing waste and the environmental impact of activities linked to waste management.
FNH: Do you think that the organization of CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup could accelerate Morocco’s energy transition in the long term? How can these events serve as leverage to strengthen the national low-carbon strategy?
L. B. : The organization of competitions of such a scale requires the establishment of robust transport, accommodation, health and leisure infrastructures to meet the needs of the thousands of visitors who will come to Morocco during these events. Given the political will to ensure sustainable development of the country and the requirements of the specifications of these competitions, we can only be optimistic about the achievement of our strategic objectives, whether in terms of transition energy or decarbonization. The advent of these competitions will certainly give a positive boost to the various projects already launched in the areas of development of renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, etc. The organization of these events could serve as a catalyst to accelerate the energy transition and low-carbon development, through the installation of sustainable infrastructure during the construction and renovation of stadiums, in particular by using renewable energies to meet energy needs. , the establishment of sustainable transport infrastructure such as buses with a high level of service with fewer emissions, the use of eco-responsible and more energy efficient construction standards. This dynamic could also benefit startups and local companies that develop sustainable technologies to meet the specific needs of events (smart lighting, optimization of energy flows, etc.). Also, the legislative and regulatory measures necessary to ensure this transition could be accelerated. All these actions could promote the energy transition and strengthen our low-carbon development strategy.
