Committed to the energy transition and the fourth industrial revolution, ABB is heavily involved in Morocco’s ambitious strategy to reduce energy consumption by up to 15% and to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix to 42% by 2020. In this context, the Group has placed itself at the Kingdom’s service to provide its solutions. In addition to its Casablanca headquarters, it has set up a turbocharger workshop in Agadir. At national level, it has thus become the go-to supplier of electrification products, robotics, motion control, industrial automation and power grids, technical assistance, training and remote monitoring. “The Group satisfies its customers by responding effectively and quickly to their needs and helping them become more competitive in terms of sustainable energy and productivity”, confirms Khaled Torbey, Managing Director of ABB Maroc.
The ideal industrial partner for the Formula E event
With the world’s largest installed base of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles, ABB was undoubtedly the ideal industrial partner for the 2018 edition of the Formula E event, held in Marrakech. As official partner of this electric championship governed by the FIA and now named “ABB FIA Formula E”, the Group has put its name and its leadership in innovation and technology at the service of Formula E. Indeed, this competition serves as a platform for testing and developing electrification and digitalisation technologies for e-mobility. It makes it possible to identify shortcomings and improve the design and functionality of electric vehicles, the related infrastructure and the associated digital platforms. Thanks to their collaboration, ABB and Formula E have “benefited from a strong position to push back the boundaries of e-mobility, at a time when studies confirm that 50% of cars sold in 2030 will be electric”, Mr Torbey explains.
The hybrid substation, a first in Morocco!
ABB is also involved in developing electrical infrastructure to integrate renewable energies, with the aim of producing more electricity from wind and other renewable sources. With this in mind, the Group is supplying Morocco with a hybrid substation for a wind farm. The first of its kind in the country, this substation required a budget of 16 million dollars and is able to withstand harsh desert weather and maritime atmospheric conditions. According to Mr Torbey, “the substation is designed for a capacity of 225/33 kilovolts (kV), with the possibility of extension up to 400 kV or of increasing the wind farm’s power up to 300 MW”. Flexible and scalable, this substation not only strengthens ABB’s presence in Africa, but will also enable the “ABB Power Grids” division ̶ the world’s leading supplier of products, systems and service solutions in power and automation ˗ to make networks more efficient, smarter and greener for its customers.
A commitment confirmed at COP22
The Swiss Group actively campaigned for sustainable development at COP22, held in Marrakech in 2016. As official partner of the event, “ABB contributed to high-level debates during which it invited economic players to decouple economic growth from energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions”, Mr Torbey maintains. According to him, ABB was able to propose the right solutions by championing its innovative technologies, which make it possible to reduce energy consumption while improving efficiency. Proof once again that going fully digital contributes greatly to achieving climate change objectives.
Three questions for:
Khaled Torbey, Managing Director of ABB Maroc
How is ABB doing in Morocco?
ABB is doing well. We are more motivated than ever to strengthen our position in the Kingdom. We build win-win partnerships based on trust, innovation and expertise. And we are reassured to see that we share the same visions as Morocco, which is investing in sustainable development and the green economy.
What do you think of the economic relations between Switzerland and Morocco?
They are stable and very promising relations, especially in terms of sustainable development. Switzerland and Morocco recently signed, in Geneva, an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding, literally “Mémorandum d’entente” in French. In this MoU, the two countries state that protecting the climate, by promoting energy produced from renewable sources and energy efficiency, is a strategic priority for both countries.
A word about the CCSM?
We warmly commend the CCSM, which contributes to the promotion of sustainable energy by organising round tables and debates on the subject. Indeed, on 11 October 2017, we jointly organised an event on the theme of rail transport and sustainable mobility. This meeting was a great success, notably thanks to the CCSM, which succeeded in bringing decision-makers and operators together around the same table to discuss the challenges of sustainable development.
Just like the Embassy of Switzerland, the Chamber supports us in our activities. And it is reassuring to know that, even while operating in Morocco, the representatives of our institutions are always there to support us.