Morocco to double green energy in Sahara for 2030 World Cup
Morocco is set to double its green electricity production in the southern provinces by 2027 as part of its efforts to meet the growing energy demand ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The government plans to invest 21 billion dirhams ($2.1 billion) in building 1.4 gigawatts of new wind and solar capacity in the region, according to a source from the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Environment told Bloomberg.
The decision to boost renewable energy infrastructure in the Sahara comes as several countries, including France, Spain, and the United States, have recently recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory. This recognition has encouraged Morocco to increase investments in various sectors, such as energy and agriculture, in the region.
Currently, the southern provinces’ green power capacity stands at about 1.3 gigawatts, contributing to nearly a quarter of Morocco’s total renewable capacity. The government is also planning to develop a 3-gigawatt cable connecting renewable plants in the region to central Morocco, which has garnered interest from private investors. This project is crucial to meeting the anticipated increase in electricity demand across the nation as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
