Morocco has approved green hydrogen projects worth 319 billion dirhams ($32.5 billion) to support the production of ammonia, steel, and industrial fuel, marking a major step toward energy transition and economic growth.
A Moroccan government committee has chosen leading international firms to spearhead the development of green ammonia, including U.S.-based Ortus, Spain’s Acciona, and Germany’s Nordex, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. However, project timelines and funding details remain undisclosed.
Additionally, the government approved:
- A joint project by the UAE’s Taqa and Spain’s Cepsa for ammonia and fuel production.
- Morocco’s Nareva, which will manufacture ammonia, fuel, and steel.
- Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power, which secured approval for green steel production.
- A partnership between China’s UEG and China Three Gorges to develop green ammonia.
Each project will receive up to 30,000 hectares of land after signing a preliminary agreement with the Moroccan government.
Morocco aims to position green hydrogen—produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy—as a key driver of domestic energy security and export growth, particularly to the European Union (EU).
The EU’s Green Deal includes plans to import 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030, creating a significant export opportunity for Morocco.
In March 2023, Morocco launched the first phase of its green hydrogen strategy, allocating 300,000 hectares for integrated projects to generate renewable electricity and convert green hydrogen into ammonia, methanol, and synthetic fuel.
International partnerships are already in place:
- France’s TotalEnergies signed an agreement in October 2023 to develop green hydrogen in Morocco.
- French energy giant Engie partnered with Moroccan phosphates and fertilizer leader OCP to produce ammonia from green hydrogen.
Morocco is actively expanding its renewable energy sector, aiming to increase the share of renewables in its installed energy capacity from 45% today to 52% by 2030.
These green hydrogen projects are expected to play a crucial role in achieving this target while reinforcing Morocco’s position as a regional clean energy leader.
