Morocco is investing $2.1 billion to double its green energy production in the southern provinces by 2027, focusing on wind and solar power. The Sahara region is set to play a key role in this expansion as it becomes a major hub for renewable energy.
​Sahara as a Green Energy Hub
Morocco is ramping up its green energy efforts with a plan to double electricity production in its southern provinces by 2027. This ambitious push addresses both growing domestic demand and preparations for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, the Moroccan government is investing 21 billion dirhams ($2.1 billion) to boost its wind and solar energy capacity. According to Bloomberg, this investment is set to add 1.4 gigawatts of new green energy to the national infrastructure.
Morocco’s southern provinces, particularly the Sahara region, hold vast potential for green energy. The Sahara’s current capacity is 1.3 gigawatts, nearly a quarter of the country’s total renewable output. Building on this existing capacity, Morocco aims to transform the region into a major renewable energy hub.
Recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the southern provinces by countries like the United States, France, and Spain has spurred investment in the region, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors. As a result, Morocco is keen to attract additional foreign capital to further develop its green energy projects.
​New Infrastructure to Support Green Energy
To harness this green energy efficiently, Morocco is also planning ambitious upgrades to its energy infrastructure. A key project is a 3-gigawatt cable connecting renewable energy plants in the southern provinces with the country’s center, enabling greater integration of green power into the national grid.
France has already expressed interest in helping finance the energy cable, which would link Casablanca with the city of Dakhla in Western Sahara. The project aligns with Morocco’s broader vision of creating a reliable and extensive green energy network for both domestic use and potential exports to Europe.
International interest in Morocco’s green energy sector is growing, with China showing particular enthusiasm for the region. Several Chinese companies are exploring major projects in Western Sahara, including HUAYOU, a leading manufacturer of electric battery components.
HUAYOU is considering a 200 billion dirham ($20 billion) investment project over the next seven years, which would significantly advance Morocco’s green energy infrastructure.
Morocco’s Long-Term Vision for Green Energy
Morocco’s push for green energy is part of a broader national strategy to increase its reliance on renewables to meet both domestic and international demand. The expansion of wind and solar power is central to this vision, leveraging the potential of its southern provinces—especially the Sahara—as a renewable energy hub.
With this planned capacity increase, Morocco is positioning itself as a key player in the global shift toward sustainable energy. The government’s investment in infrastructure, combined with growing international interest, promises to solidify Morocco’s crucial role in the renewable energy market.
Morocco’s plan to double green energy production in its southern provinces by 2027 is a strategic and forward-thinking initiative. With the Sahara region at the center of this effort, investments in wind, solar, and supporting infrastructure are set to significantly boost the country’s renewable energy capacity.
