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Morocco World
30-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's Southern Provinces: ‘A New Green Growth Corridor to the UK'
Rabat — Morocco's southern provinces made an impressive mark on the global stage on Tuesday at the opening of Innovation Zero World, running April 29-30 in London, one of the world's leading energy transition events. Representatives from Dakhla Oued Eddahab, Laayoune Sakia El Hamra, and Guelmim Oued Noun displayed their regions' growing importance in Morocco's sustainable development plans during the prestigious forum at London's Kensington Olympia Exhibition Center. Morocco's ambassador to the UK, Hakim Hajoui, kicked off the conference, expressing pride to see these three southern provinces participate in this global event for the first time. 'Morocco's strong presence at this year's Congress demonstrates the progress our Kingdom has made in implementing inclusive regionalization model,' he said. Hajoui spoke of Morocco-UK longstanding friendship that ties the two countries, recalling that their partnership now extends to security, education, energy, and climate. He also expressed the urge to further deepen the bilateral ties between the two countries, referring to this as 'a clear priority for both Rabat and London.' Speaking of Morocco's Development Model, Hajoui mentioned the North African country's efforts to establish itself as a global hub for trade and investment through a clear national strategy under King Mohammed VI's leadership. The ambassador explained how his country's Development Model, launched by the King in 2015, has broadly contributed to the transformation and development of the southern provinces into Morocco's fastest-growing regions. 'With their strong connectivity to the rest of Africa and the world, these provinces have become hubs for trade, renewable energy, green industries, research, and innovation,' Hajoui said. 'Today, Dakhla, Laayoune, and Guelmim offer a new green growth corridor to the UK.' Growing trade and international investment in the southern provinces To feature Morocco's southern provinces' economic potential, regional leaders presented investment opportunities to an audience that included investors seeking new business ventures. Yanja El Khattat, President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Council, noted that Morocco has made sustainable development a national priority under the King's leadership. 'Our southern provinces, including Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, stand at the heart of this momentum,' El Khattat noted. The official then detailed investment opportunities that the southern province could provide. 'These regions attract major investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, sustainable fishing, ecotourism, and resilient infrastructure.' He recalled Dakhla-Oued Eddahab's strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Americas, creating vast opportunities for global partnerships, particularly in the green economy. The region now enjoys a business framework that allows for innovation, private initiatives, and robust technology transfers. Southern provinces as 'major player' in fighting climate change For her part, the Vice President of the Guelmim Oued Noun Regional Council, Khaoula El Khourchi, focused on the pivotal role of renewable energy as a strategic pillar of Morocco's economic and environmental policies. 'Morocco steadfastly pursues efforts to achieve clean and sustainable development goals, guided by a long-term national vision,' she said. El Khourchi pointed to Guelmim Oued Noun as a major development and energy transition hub at the national level. 'The Royal vision for developing the southern provinces is fully reflected in Guelmim-Oued Noun's energy initiatives, which contribute concretely to sustainable growth,' she added. Khadija Ezaoui, a renewable energy expert from Laayoune Sakia El Hamra, noted that the southern provinces have become 'a major player' in fighting climate change impacts. 'With more than two decades of successful green development experience, Morocco's southern provinces now have lessons and experiences to share with the business community involved in green development,' she said. Ezaoui added that Morocco's proximity to Europe and its role as a gateway to Africa strengthen partnership opportunities in energy transition based on a win-win approach. The conference included an institutional film featuring Morocco's progress in sustainable development and energy transition under King Mohammed VI's leadership — efforts aimed at firmly positioning Morocco on the new landscape of a decarbonized global economy. Tags: MoroccoMorocco-UKMorocco's Southern ProvincesSouthern provinces
Morocco World
01-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
X-Links President Threatens to Move Morocco-UK Energy Link as London Stalls
X-Links president and former Tesco chief Dave Lewis is threatening to relocate a groundbreaking £25 billion Morocco-UK renewable energy project away from the UK due to government delays. Lewis told The Telegraph that investors might shift the massive venture to Germany or other markets if British officials don't act soon. 'Government hesitation could permanently derail this opportunity,' Lewis warned, noting that while funding is available, bureaucratic hurdles hamper progress. The ambitious project is set to transport solar and wind energy from Morocco's Saharan region near Tan-Tan to Britain through 4,000 kilometers of undersea high-voltage cables. Once completed, it would power nine million British homes and cut the UK energy sector's CO2 emissions by 10 percent. Morocco's favorable weather conditions would enable the system to produce electricity for approximately 19 hours daily. At around £70 per megawatt-hour (MWh), this renewable energy would cost less than nuclear, biomass, or tidal power. While British offshore wind farms offer comparable prices, they remain subject to unpredictable weather patterns. Tesco's former boss said that X-Links' operation in Morocco is set to create 10,000 jobs, describing the country as 'driving this.' Lewis described Morocco as a 'future renewable energy powerhouse' with vast untapped potential. The project's financial side appears solid – investors have already committed £8 billion, and market tests to raise the remaining £17 billion generated offers far exceeding expectations. Despite being designated a 'project of national importance' 18 months ago, X-Links still awaits approval for a long-term guaranteed purchase contract from the government. This authorization is critical for securing the full investment. Read also: Morocco's Ouarzazate Noor Solar Plant Supplies 2 Million Moroccans with Electricity The decision now rests with UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband, whose approval is needed to establish a stable purchase price for the electricity. These delays also threaten plans for a cable factory in Scotland that would create 1,200 jobs. After four years of development work, project backers are growing impatient with administrative bottlenecks. 'We have the money, we have the technology, we have willing partners in Morocco – what we lack is timely decision-making in London,' Lewis added, stressing that renewable energy investors have multiple global options for deploying their capital. Morocco's growing leadership in renewable energy Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in green energy by investing in renewable projects like solar and wind power installations. According to Bloomberg, the North African nation plans to more than double its green energy capacity from 1.3 gigawatts to 2.7 gigawatts by 2027. With its world-class Noor Ouarzazate complex , Morocco has demonstrated impressive innovation in solar technology. This flagship renewable energy project showcases the country's commitment to sustainable power generation. As it strives to meet growing electricity demands nationwide, Morocco is rapidly and impressively expanding renewable energy infrastructure into its southern regions. Tags: Moroccorenewable energyX-Links
