Morocco has announced plans to develop a 990MW gas-fired power plant. This initiative is Morocco’s commitment to advancing its energy transition while integrating natural gas as a transitional fuel.
The country’s national water and electricity utility ONEE made the announcement and said the energy plant is estimated to cost US $420M. ONEE will contribute 20% of the total cost and the remaining funding will be secured through loans from Attijariwafa Bank, Bank of Africa and two securitisation funds from FT Nord Energy and FT Flexenergy.
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The plant will feature two open-cycle gas turbines. Diesel will be used as a backup fuel source. Its strategic location near the Alwahda site benefits from proximity to a pipeline, enabling efficient gas imports from Spanish terminals, a practice initiated in 2023.
This project aligns with Morocco’s broader energy diversification strategy, aiming to reduce dependency on coal and traditional energy sources and achieve 52% renewable energy capacity by 2030, up from the current 45%.
Plans for a natural gas terminal at the Nador West Med port in the northeast will connect to the existing pipeline network, enhancing gas infrastructure. Morocco’s energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels, but the country is making progress towards renewable energy. As of 2024, Morocco’s total installed energy production capacity is over 11.9GW, with coal as the dominant source of energy.
The government is working to increase the use of renewable energy sources to reduce its dependence on imports. The country plans to decrease energy consumption by 15% from 2016 levels by 2030 through energy efficiency measures. The government expressed confidence that renewable energy sources will provide more than 52% of the total installed capacity by 2030.
