Morocco Presents Ambitious Green Hydrogen Vision at Britcham Conference in Casablanca
Rabat – On Wednesday evening, the British Chamber of Commerce for Morocco (Britcham) hosted a conference titled “Green Hydrogen: Challenges and Perspectives for Morocco” at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca.
Discussions centered around the potential of green hydrogen and green ammonia to stimulate economic growth while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
The event gathered influential leaders and experts to delve into the vital role of green hydrogen in Morocco’s sustainable development, examining the regulatory framework, investment opportunities, and ongoing projects within this burgeoning sector.
Notably, UK Ambassador Simon Martin spoke passionately about the prospects for collaboration between Morocco and the UK.
“Green hydrogen is a fascinating and exciting field,” he stated during an interview with Morocco World News (MWN) on the sidelines of the event. “It has an important part to play in the future energy transition of our countries and the decarbonization of our industries.”
Martin further explained the uncertainty surrounding the industry’s direction, stating,
“What is so exciting is the fact that it is a sector and an industry which is still under development.”
He pointed out to the UK’s ambitions, saying, “My government, which is newly elected, sees itself as a potential green energy superpower and wants to play a really important role in helping the world transition away from polluting industries.”
The ambassador also acknowledged Morocco’s natural advantages for producing renewable energy and its ongoing research into translating these resources into green hydrogen production.
“Given Morocco’s strengths and the global efforts to incorporate green hydrogen into future energy transitions, this is an exciting moment for potential collaboration. While we are just beginning, we recognize that this is a long-term endeavor, which adds to its appeal,” he explained.
Minister Benali On Morocco’s Green Hydrogen Vision
Morocco has set ambitious goals for green hydrogen, aiming to meet 4% of global demand and 52% of local demand.
The hydrogen theme has gained major traction in public discourse over the past year, with the conference addressing the current state of developments in this field. Among the notable guests was Leila Benali, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, who addressed the audience via a recorded video message.
In her remarks, she stated, “This is a big consensus for decarbonization,” pointing out Morocco’s exceptional potential to harness green hydrogen.
Benali talked about the already existing Moroccan Offer project, which was conceptualized in order to facilitate green hydrogen initiatives in Morocco and Africa as a whole.
She outlined Morocco’s ambition to become a unique energy corridor, leveraging its formidable ports, railways, and road networks to connect Africa, Europe, the Atlantic Basin, and the Middle East, with particular attention to the Sahel countries. The latter play a major role in the Royal Initiative program.
In 2023, Morocco launched the Atlantic Initiative for the Sahel, designed to empower African nations in shaping their development paths. Announced by King Mohammed VI, the initiative seeks to bolster regional cooperation and promote a unified approach to security, economic growth, and sustainability.
Minister Benali added,
“We need to plan properly for this new energy project, such as gas and hydrogen pipelines,”
highlighting the importance of collaborating with national and international partners while considering environmental protection. “We are constantly trying to include efficiency in the value chain,” she said.
A Collaborative Ecosystem For Morocco’s Green Hydrogen Future
Youssef Farouki, advisor to Minister Benali, also contributed to the discussion, describing green hydrogen as a “burgeoning sector.” He stated that the objective of this initiative is to integrate a strategy for sustainable economic development.
“It is an entire ecosystem,” he said, reflecting the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure the success of the project.
Farouki acknowledged the challenges posed by this large-scale initiative, particularly regarding visibility, financing, and the adoption of the latest technologies. He explained that the Moroccan Offer was launched to facilitate dialogue with investors and streamline financing.
The conference featured other notable speakers, including Karim Saoudm, vice president of water and energy at OCP, who discussed the roadmap for green hydrogen projects in Morocco.
He outlined ongoing investments in green ammonia and hydrogen as crucial components of Morocco’s strategy to lower carbon emissions and boost energy security.
Amine Houssaim, CEO of Hydrojeel, talked about the importance of aligning technological advancements in hydrogen production with Morocco’s development goals.
“Innovation in green hydrogen is crucial for making Morocco a leader in renewable energy on the global stage,”
he stated, referring to hydrogen as the “cog that was essential” for this transformation.
The conference concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage with the speakers and further explore the potential of green hydrogen as a cornerstone of Morocco’s energy future.
The conference mirrored Morocco’s strategic position in the green hydrogen sector and the collaborative efforts necessary to realize its ambitious goals for sustainable energy development.
As the country continues to harness its natural resources, the discussions at this event signal a promising future for green hydrogen in both Morocco and the broader international community.
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Morocco Presents Ambitious Green Hydrogen Vision at Britcham Conference in Casablanca, source
