Cluster EnR now has more than 200 members and aims to be a true catalyst for developing a renewable energy ecosystem. What do you actually do for foreign investors, and do you count any among your members?
We are a non-profit association, founded in 2014, whose mission is to bring together all the players in the renewable energy and clean technology ecosystem. Today, the Cluster brings together institutions, universities, research centres, as well as private- and public-sector players, and we are proud to have built this ecosystem in which synergy and collaboration are the watchwords. As a catalyst, our main objective is to support and foster the development of a dynamic and innovative industrial ecosystem.
In practical terms, we provide investors with detailed information on local industries and put them in touch with the various players in the ecosystem. This approach encourages collaboration, the transfer of know-how and technology, as well as the creation of joint ventures and strategic partnerships. We guide investors towards the relevant contacts and promising sectors so that they can identify investment opportunities that are profitable both for them and for Morocco.
We do indeed count foreign companies among our members. However, they must have subsidiaries in Morocco, because to be a member of Cluster EnR, a company must be incorporated under Moroccan law.
What approach would you recommend to Swiss companies interested in the renewable energy market in Morocco?
First of all, in my view, it is essential to meet the stakeholders in the sector, starting with AMDIE (Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency) for advisory services and administrative procedures. Next, it is crucial to get in touch with us, as we are able to guide investors towards the most promising industries by sharing relevant studies and data, while facilitating introductions to key contacts in the sector. It is worth knowing that our role as a facilitator will extend across the entire value chain, thus offering comprehensive support to investors interested in renewable energy in Morocco.
Setting aside green hydrogen, which is a new market, what are the key figures for the renewable energy sector in Morocco?
According to the latest figures, we are currently at around 37% of installed capacity from renewable sources, which represents 4 GW (gigawatts) of capacity. Investment in this sector, for its part, amounts to around 6 billion dollars.
Today, Morocco has an integrated programme for the deployment of sustainable energy projects, which aims to install 6,000 MW (megawatts) of renewable energy: 2,000 MW of solar, 2,000 MW of wind and 2,000 MW of hydroelectric power. At the same time, the integrated project development programmes of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) are gathering pace.
The market offers many opportunities, both in large-scale projects and in the decentralised field, with industries such as solar lighting, biomass, water desalination, electric mobility and the circular economy, not forgetting the NOOR project (the flagship project of Morocco’s solar plan). There are more and more promising sectors that are arousing the curiosity of foreign investors.
The potential of the renewable energy market in Morocco is considerable and will only grow further in the years to come. A new era has already begun; change is no longer a choice but an obligation. Whether it is the imminent arrival of carbon taxation in the European Union, the fight against climate change, or the CSR policies that companies are increasingly adopting on a voluntary basis, it is necessary to seize these opportunities and act with determination for a sustainable and responsible energy future. Morocco has already made promising progress on the regulatory framework, which bodes for a more than bright future for the renewable energy sector in Morocco.