Morocco counting on renewable energy

30/05/2006

[File] Boutaleb

Moroccan Energy and Mines Minister Mohamed Boutaleb said on Monday (29 May) the country must boost its energy consumption by the development of renewable energies. "There is no consideration of reducing consumption of energy products. On the contrary, we have to increase it because the rate of consumption is an economic indicator of development," Boutaleb said in an interview with the L'Economiste.

Boutaleb noted Morocco has a partnership with the World Bank to help establish a legal framework for renewable energies and the mechanisms related to the control of energy effectiveness. "In 2007-2008, we will reach greater diversification by decreasing the share of oil products to 50 per cent and reinforcing natural gas, solar and wind energies," the minister said. "Morocco does not have a nuclear programme and does not intend to establish thermonuclear facilities to satisfy its needs in electric energy. Electric production via a thermonuclear station is very expensive and needs time, while domestic consumption is insufficient," he pointed out. (L'Economiste, Morocco Times, Le Matin)