Latest news with #ONEE
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
EIB grants €70 million to ONEE to strengthen Morocco's water infrastructure
The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Monday, May 26, that it has signed a €70 million financing agreement with Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE) to modernize water infrastructure across the kingdom, particularly in small and medium-sized cities and rural areas. The loan, supported by European Union guarantees, will fund equipment modernization, network loss reduction, and energy efficiency improvements in water facilities. The project addresses mounting water stress caused by rising temperatures, increased drought episodes, and growing consumption demands, reads a press release. The financing supports ONEE's 2025-2030 Equipment Plan and contributes to reconstruction efforts following infrastructure damage from the September 2023 earthquake. The initiative aligns with Morocco's National Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI, 2020-2027) and EU-Morocco partnership objectives for green transition. EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris emphasized the bank's commitment to supporting Morocco's sustainable water solutions, while EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac highlighted the partnership's 20-year collaboration, noting €22 billion in EU and member state investments in Moroccan reforms and infrastructure. ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane stated that the project will secure reliable water access for populations while optimizing conventional water resource allocation amid increased drought frequency.
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
EIB Injects €70 Million to Boost Morocco's Drinking Water Infrastructure
Doha – The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €70 million financing contract with Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE). The funds will strengthen drinking water infrastructure across the country, particularly in small and medium-sized cities and rural areas facing increasing pressure on water resources. The financing, supported by the European Union through its guarantee mechanism, will help implement ONEE's 2025-2030 Equipment Plan. It focuses on high-impact local investments to modernize, secure, and optimize drinking water production and transportation systems in multiple regions. 'Ensuring sustainable access to drinking water is a vital priority, especially for territories most exposed to climate change effects,' said EIB Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris. 'This new financing demonstrates the EIB's commitment to supporting Morocco in implementing sustainable, local, and resilient solutions.' The project addresses Morocco's growing water stress, exacerbated by rising temperatures, increased drought frequency, and higher consumption. It aims to modernize equipment, reduce network losses, improve energy efficiency, and secure drinking water supply to vulnerable territories. The funding will also support reconstruction of hydraulic infrastructure damaged by the September 2023 earthquake, strengthening water supply system resilience in affected areas. EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac stated that 'the signing of this new financing contract responds to one of modern Morocco's priorities and demonstrates a strong, structured partnership between the European Union and Morocco. For over 20 years, we have worked together to address this common challenge.' For his part, ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane stressed Morocco's efforts under royal guidance to secure the country's drinking water supply. 'Through this financing, ONEE, as the state's armed wing in the drinking water sector, will continue its deployment to guarantee secure and reliable access to drinking water for populations,' he articulated. On May 12, King Mohammed VI reviewed Morocco's water management recovery plan during a ministerial council in Rabat. Agriculture Minister Ahmed Bouari reported that recent rainfall, particularly in March, had a 'very positive impact' on cereal production, autumn and spring crops, fruit trees, and vegetation cover. Water Minister Nizar Baraka reported that Morocco's average dam filling rate currently stands at 40.3%, allowing the mobilization of 6.7 billion cubic meters of water. This amount equals one and a half years of potable water consumption nationwide, significantly improving the country's water security outlook. This operation aligns with the EIB's Climate Roadmap 2021–2025 and contributes directly to sustainable development goals, particularly clean water and climate action. The initiative also supports the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI, 2020–2027), advancing Morocco's climate adaptation priorities and reinforcing EU commitments under the Green Partnership for a resilient and sustainable economy. Last week, ONEE secured €300 million from European partners to modernize and extend Morocco's national electricity grid across 731 kilometers, encompassing €170 million from the EIB itself. The expansion aims to better integrate renewable energy sources and increase transmission capacity by 1,850 megavolt-amperes. On May 19, Morocco signed a landmark $14 billion agreement with the United Arab Emirates to transform its water and energy infrastructure by 2030. The megadeal includes a 1,400-kilometer high-voltage transmission corridor and four desalination facilities capable of producing 900 million cubic meters of water annually. Spain has also committed €340 million toward the construction of Africa's largest desalination plant in Casablanca. The €620 million facility will provide 300 million cubic meters of water annually for over seven million residents in the metropolitan region. Read also: African Development Bank: Morocco Sets Water Engineering Standard for Africa
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco secures €300mln from EIB and KfW to strengthen grid, boost renewables
Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has secured €300 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German development bank KfW to strengthen its electricity transmission infrastructure and support the country's energy transition. The funding, which includes €170 million from the EIB and €130 million from KfW, will be used to upgrade and extend the national grid by 731 km and increasing its evacuation capacity by 1,850 MVA, accordinng to a Frenck language press statement by EIB. The investment is part of ONEE's broader 220 billion Moroccan dirhams ($21.7 billion) roadmap through 2030, with MAD 177 billion dedicated to the power sector. The financing complements earlier investments such as the 270 MW Jebel Lahdid wind farm, co-financed by the EIB, KfW, and the European Union. ONEE has an installed capacity of 12,017 megawatts (MW), 45.4 percent of which comes from renewable energy, and is developing 12.5 gigawatts (GW) of additional capacity by 2030. Morocco is aiming for 56 percent of installed capacity from renewables by end-2027. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Moroccan Utility ONEE Granted $340 Million in Loans for Energy Transition
Moroccan water and power utility ONEE said it has been granted 300 million euros ($340 million) in loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and German state lender KfW to support integration of renewable energy into the national grid. The financing package comprises 170 million euros from the EIB and 130 million euros from KfW, the utility said on Friday, adding that the money will be used to expand its electricity transmission network by 730km. ONEE plans to invest $19 billion in its electricity development plan through 2030, the year Morocco will co-host the World Cup soccer tournament, together with Spain and Portugal. The plan aims to increase installed renewable energy capacity to 56% of the country's total electricity capacity by 2027, three years ahead of the 2030 target, according to Reuters. Currently, installed renewable energy capacity stands at 45%, or 5.5GW. ONEE said it will add 15GW of installed electricity capacity, including 12GW from renewable sources by 2030. Last week ONEE signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates' TAQA to build a 1,400 km high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 3,000 megawatts linking Western Sahara's renewable energy sites to central Morocco. Coal still accounts for more than 70% of Morocco's energy production. Seeking to diversify its coal-dependent energy sector, Morocco began in April a tendering process to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Mediterranean port of Nador.
Morocco World
23-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONEE Secures €300 Million from European Partners for Grid Expansion
Doha – Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) announced a new €300 million financing package on Thursday. The funding comes from the European Investment Bank (EIB), German Development Bank (KfW), and European Union (EU). The announcement came during a high-level visit to the 270 MW Jbel Lahdid wind farm in Essaouira province. The site visit was led by EIB Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris, KfW board member Christiane Laibach, and EU Delegation Deputy Head Daniele Dotto. The financing aims to improve renewable energy integration by strengthening Morocco's electrical grid. The EIB will provide €170 million, while KfW will contribute €130 million on behalf of the German government. The funds will support ONEE's investments to modernize and expand the national electricity transmission network across 731 kilometers. This expansion will increase the grid's transmission capacity by 1,850 Mega Volt Amperes. These investments will enhance supply security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 390,000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually by 2030, and stimulate growth in multiple regions. The project will also strengthen the national grid's resilience against increasing demand and climate challenges. The financing is part of ONEE's ambitious plan totaling MAD 220 billion ($22 billion) by 2030. Of this, MAD 177 billion ($17.7 billion) are allocated to the electricity sector, aiming to increase installed renewable energy capacity to 56% by the end of 2027. Key projects include developing 12.5 GW of additional renewable capacity, strengthening the transmission network over 700 kilometers, and implementing a 3,000 MW electrical highway spanning 1,400 kilometers between southern and central Morocco. Read also: Morocco, UAE Sign $14 Billion Megadeal: Key Details on the Largest Private Investment in Morocco's History The Jbel Lahdid wind farm, operational since October 2024, is the fourth project in ONEE's 1,000 MW Integrated Wind Energy Program. It was co-financed by €200 million loans each from EIB and KfW, plus a €15 million EU grant. With its 270 MW capacity, the wind farm will produce approximately 952 GWh of renewable electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of 1.2 million people. EIB Vice President Tsakiris explained that 'the Jbel Lahdid park illustrates the solid partnership between Morocco and European institutions in energy transition.' 'With this new €170 million support, we are backing the national electricity grid extension, an essential lever for strengthening the link between green energy production and electricity transport infrastructure,' he added. EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac noted that 'this program is a new demonstration of the concrete achievements of our Morocco-EU Green Partnership and Team Europe's continued commitment to financing these key infrastructures for Morocco's energy transition.' German Ambassador Robert Dölger pointed out that Germany and Morocco have built a solid partnership in the energy sector. 'With this co-financing agreement, we are taking another major step toward achieving our ambitious climate goals,' he said. Germany has now contributed over €3 billion to Morocco's energy transition and climate resilience. KfW board member Christiane Laibach remarked that the €130 million Renewable Energy Integration Program is an important step in their ongoing commitment to Morocco's energy transition. The program supports creating a digital and robust electrical grid for a future where most electricity will come from renewable sources. ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane said that 'under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom of Morocco resolutely continues its energy transition toward a sustainable and inclusive model.' ONEE currently has an installed capacity of 12 GW, with over 45% from renewable energy, and a transmission network exceeding 30,000 kilometers. The EU and Morocco concluded a historic 'Green Partnership' in October 2022 to promote the transition to more sustainable production and consumption methods. During COP28 in December 2023, the EU and Morocco launched the 'Green Energy' program to strengthen Morocco's climate action and energy transition. Tags: ONEErenewable energythe National Electricity Office (ONEE)
