Morocco works to reduce energy dependence

2007-06-21

To overcome a lack of essential resources, Morocco is seeking to change its energy strategy. The High Commission for Planning has drafted potential solutions for Morocco’s future energy supply, focusing primarily upon nuclear energy and regional co-operation.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 21/06/2007

[File] Abdellah Alaoui, President of the Moroccan Energy Federation, called for greater effort to increase Morocco's self-sufficiency

In an effort to reduce its reliance on foreign energy, the Moroccan government is formulating a comprehensive energy reform strategy that focuses on conservation and nuclear power production. The country presently imports 95% of its energy from abroad at high cost. In 2006 the country spent 44.9 billion dirhams, the equivalent of 42% of its revenue from exports, on energy imports.

To inform collective decision-making on energy policy, the High Commission for Planning released a report called "Energy Prospects 2030".

The report warns that Morocco faces a quadrupling of energy consumption based on average annual growth rates of 0.9% for population, 4% for GDP and 5.6% for energy. In this case, the country could achieve reasonable economic performance, but would still be far from the levels enjoyed by its European neighbours.

One proposed course of action calls for renewed efforts to invest in the energy sector, particularly in nuclear energy through public/private partnerships. "Technological developments in nuclear energy, which have allowed both an increase in safety standards and a relative reduction in investment costs, make nuclear energy a realistic and competitive alternative, especially when prices for oil and gas are at high levels," the report says.

Another possibility is utilising regional partnerships, particularly in the Arab Maghreb Union, to circumvent problems of dependency and security posed by high energy prices.

The HCP report indicates it may be beneficial for Morocco to initiate a nuclear energy programme, but that it should do so in addition to developing a comprehensive energy strategy for the Maghreb region and neighbouring Europe.

Abdellah Alaoui, President of the Moroccan Energy Federation, has said Morocco needs to make a greater effort to increase its self-sufficiency, as development relies fundamentally on energy. He has said that the only way forward for Morocco and developing countries in general is to turn to nuclear energy.

Nuclear Safety Commission President Abdelhamid Mekki Berrada shares this view. "Certainly, nuclear energy does not come cheap in terms of investment," he said in a May 9th interview with Le Matin. "But at least we would not be subjected to all the risks of importation. We would be less dependent, especially given the way that oil prices vary. With nuclear energy, things are different; the reactor is only fuelled once every three years. Throughout this entire period, electricity is produced at a price known in advance."

According to Berrada, Morocco has everything it needs to launch into nuclear energy, including land, feasibility studies and personnel. There is still much to be done, however, especially where financial studies are concerned. He says that Morocco's primary need at this time is an international partner to assist in financing, installing and operating the nuclear power plants.

Last January, the Ministry for Energy and Mining announced it was drafting a national energy conservation plan which will include energy rationing and the development of renewable sources. The project will concentrate first on rural areas. It calls for the introduction of regulations to save energy in public buildings and would mandate the exchange of 10 million standard light bulbs with low energy bulbs.