Morocco targets 10 renewables by 2012

Morocco Renewable Energy Strategy drives wind power, solar energy, and energy efficiency to cut import dependence, add megawatts of capacity, expand grid access, and run auctions and feasibility studies via a new national agency.

Morocco is a country with no domestic fossil fuels production. The country has high energy use, and the demand for energy is growing between 5 and 8 annually.

Morocco imports 97 of its energy, the equivalent of about 10 of the countrys GDP, or $7 billion.

Morocco has 5,292 megawatts MW of installed capacity. Energy consumption per inhabitant is 685 kilowatt-hours per year, with 95 percent of the population having grid access as solar projects reinforce the Moroccan grid nationwide.

Morocco is focusing on renewable energy sources to secure energy demand and achieve sustainable development. Wind is the most competitive renewable energy in Morocco. With Morocco's 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, solar energy is the next strongest renewable source as the country advances a 2,000-MW solar project pipeline to boost supply.

Wind currently provides 254 MW of power to Morocco's national grid, and more than 1,400 MW of projects are in the feasibility study or bidding stages, with the Alstom wind farm project underscoring investor interest across the sector.

In February, Morocco created the National Agency for Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which has since launched a solar power initiative to coordinate programs. The agency help increase renewable energy capacity, carry our feasibility studies for renewable projects and provide financial assistance to renewable energy service companies.

Ahmed Barudy, the nominated general manager for the company, said the company will be responsible for accepting bids for renewable energy projects as Morocco seeks investors for wind farms to scale capacity, participating in renewable ventures and supporting local manufacturing of renewable energy assets.

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