The inspiring and remarkable performance of the Atlas Lions at this year’s Fifa World Cup has brought welcome interest in Morocco from across the globe.
The team and its supporters are being championed for their determination and spirit. The Kingdom of Morocco itself is also being highlighted as a beacon of economic development and political stability.
Thanks to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is known as an economically and politically stable country boasting an open, ambitious and forward-thinking society.
Morocco is also a long-standing ally to the UK, with an 800-year-old friendship. That bond, forged across trade, tourism and culture can now be harnessed to address today’s global challenges – with energy security a particular concern.
Morocco has been laying the groundwork to leverage its abundance in solar and wind resources for decades.
Unprecedented investment in cutting-edge green energy platforms and decarbonised industries means that now 40pc of Morocco’s energy stems from renewables. The aim is to reach 80pc by 2050.
As the UK seeks to diversify its sources of energy supply, there is tremendous potential to vastly enhance collaboration with Morocco.
Even before the cost of living crisis, the UK Government made energy security a national priority. Its ambitious 2022 Energy Security Strategy pledges to reduce gas consumption by more than 40pc by 2030. It also seeks to streamline the production of wind energy and increase low-carbon power generation.
Both our kingdoms can realise the critical importance of cooperation in ensuring energy security, while meeting our net-zero obligations and commitment to low-carbon power generation.
In Morocco, momentum towards a cleaner and greener economy has gathered pace. King Mohammed recently set a new focus on investment in green hydrogen, approving an extraordinary $13bn (£10.6bn) green industrial and renewable energy programme.
Launched by Morocco-based OCP Group, a global leader in the fertiliser market, the project will ensure all its industrial facilities are powered purely by renewable energy by 2027. In addition, its fertiliser production capacity will increase from 12m tons today to 20m tons by 2027 – an example of leading the way in sustainable agriculture and food security.
This game-changing investment seeks to cover the entire nation, from solar farms in the central Moroccan cities of Benguerir and Khouribga, to the green ammonia projects near Tarfaya, and the wind and solar installations in the southern provinces.
The southern provinces are often considered by international investors to be one of the three most competitive zones in the world in terms of renewable energy production. For instance, Dakhla, a southern city, sits in one of the two most constantly ventilated global wind corridors, ensuring the continuity of the resource – as well as enjoying outstanding solar exposure.
Morocco is also investing in green hydrogen in order to decarbonise further the Moroccan industry and provide green manufacturing platforms to national and international investors, like the Renault car manufacturing plant in Tangier, a zero carbon and zero industrial emissions plant.
While Morocco seeks to meet its domestic energy needs through renewable energy, the country also plans to further collaborate with its strategic international partners to protect the environment, conserve biodiversity and fight climate change. Last October, Morocco and the European Union signed the EU-Morocco Green Partnership making Morocco the first EU partner country for such an initiative.
Thanks to its ongoing efforts, Morocco has ranked seventh in the recently published Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), placing it first in Africa and the Arab region. This index assessed the performance of several countries including the EU across important dimensions such as greenhouse gas emissions, renewables and climate policy.
The UK could seize this opportunity and embrace joint projects and investments in reliable solar and wind energy, but also in green industries. Offering an offshore energy source, Morocco is a capable partner in green hydrogen, alongside research and innovation in maximising these resources. This will result in competitive and cleaner energy for both kingdoms, as well as creating abundant job opportunities and economic development.
Cooperation in renewables builds on already strong foundations. Soon after the UK left the European Union in 2021, the signing of a Morocco-UK Association Agreement saw our bilateral trade increase by nearly 60pc in just 12 months, therefore providing more sustainable and affordable agri-food products to British consumers.
However, there is more we can offer. For instance, the Xlinks power project has the potential to supply affordable, green power from Morocco to 7m British homes. This would stimulate the creation of thousands of jobs in both countries, boosting our regional economies and enhancing local ecosystems in the process.
I am confident that Morocco’s historical relationship with the UK will continue to grow deeper and stronger, to the benefit of our kingdoms. In the spirit of both the Atlas and England Lions, let’s take full advantage of our determination and ambition. Now is the time for our partnership to enter a bold, greener era.
Hakim Hajoui is Morocco’s ambassador to the UK.
