Morocco’s Energy Landscape: Renewable Energy Shines as Consumption Rises
Morocco’s energy sector is undergoing a dynamic shift, with renewable energy sources taking center stage. According to the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts, part of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, national electricity production saw a 1.6% increase in the first seven months of 2024. This follows a period of relative stability, with a marginal 0.2% increase recorded in July 2023.
This positive growth can be largely attributed to the impressive performance of renewable energy production under Law 13-09, which has seen a remarkable 42.8% increase. This highlights Morocco’s commitment to transitioning towards a greener energy future.
However, this progress isn’t uniform across all energy sectors. The report also reveals a decline in both private electricity production and production from the National Office of Electricity and Water (ONEE), dropping by 0.7% and 3.3% respectively during the same period. This highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing the energy mix and ensuring a reliable supply.
Looking at Morocco’s energy exchange with the rest of the world, electricity imports have surged by 43.7% by July 2024. This follows a similar trend from the previous year, which saw a 43% increase in imports. Conversely, electricity exports have continued to decline, dropping by 23.5% after a significant 34.8% decrease the previous year. This shift in the energy trade balance underscores the growing domestic demand for electricity.
Despite these fluctuations, the net energy balance remains relatively stable, showing a 3.2% increase, mirroring the growth observed in the previous year. This suggests that while Morocco is importing more electricity, it’s also effectively managing its overall energy consumption.
Speaking of consumption, the report indicates a 5.2% rise in electricity usage by July 2024. This increase is primarily driven by a 9.1% surge in sales of high-voltage electricity, reflecting the growing energy needs of various sectors, including industry and infrastructure.
Interestingly, when we look at the bigger picture, electricity consumption for the first seven months of 2024 remained relatively stable compared to the same period last year, experiencing a marginal decrease of 0.2%. This suggests that the recent surge in consumption might be a temporary fluctuation, and Morocco is maintaining a relatively consistent level of electricity usage.
This data paints a picture of Morocco’s evolving energy landscape. While the nation is making significant strides in renewable energy production, it’s also grappling with the challenges of balancing imports and exports while meeting the ever-increasing energy demands of a growing economy.
