Analysis of Morocco's renewable energy production and transmission potential

INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) Publisher Sustainability for Regions 64 ANALYSIS OF MOROCCO'S RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND TRANSMISSION POTENTIAL * Vaida Zemlickienė ¹*, Boumediene Amraoui ², Najiba El Amrani El Idrissi 3 1 The Institute of Sustainable Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio av. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania 2,3 Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Route d'Imouzzer 30000 Fez, Morocco E-mails: 1*[email protected] (Correspondin author); [email protected]; [email protected] Received 11 March 2024; accepted 20 May 2024; published Abstract. Alongside efforts to reduce carbon emissions, energy production and use took on new urgency last year, when Europe and other countries faced harsh realities regarding electricity availability and affordability; therefore, solutions are needed to avoid the consequences of the existing gas monopoly because electricity prices are directly correlated with gas prices. One possible alternative to solving this problem is to purchase sustainable electricity from countries with high potential to produce and sell electricity from renewable sources, such as Morocco. A detailed examination of the current situation and the mentioned potential above is required to find new solutions that can have significant political consequences. Publicly available secondary information and scientific literature were investigated to reflect the current situation; statistical information was collected and analyzed to find out the cases of energy transfer from Morocco to other countries; expert investigation was carried out to identify the specifics of problems related to renewable energy production and transmission to Europe. Actual cases of electricity transmission have been or are currently happening only between neighbouring countries Spain and Algeria. The electricity transmission with Algeria is interrupted due to political disagreements. Three future electricity transmission connections are planned: a substantial long-distance project - "Xlinks" with the UK; second, with Portugal, and discussions are underway regarding Mauritania. Morocco can become an essential actor by exporting electricity to Europe, considering its proximity to Spain and huge potential for solar and wind energy that can fulfil the needs of all of Europe. However, it is essential to pay attention; not only Europe but African countries are on the list of those who want to purchase Moroccan electricity. Keywords: electricity; renewable energy; analysis of opportunities; specifics of production and transmission; Morocco Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Zemlickienė, V., Amraoui, B., El Amrani El Idrissi, N. 2024. Analysis of Morocco's renewable energy production and transmission potential. Insights Into Regional Development, 6(2), 64-78. http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) JEL Classifications: D78, D81, F13 Additional disciplines: ecology and environment; electricity electronic engineering; environmental engineering; energetics and thermo energetics. * Project 101129820 Cluster for innovative energy (CLUSTER-INN), the program "HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01" INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 65 1. Introduction Electricity affordability has taken on new relevance in the past year as European countries and elsewhere have faced the harsh reality of addressing energy availability and affordability issues. There is an urgent and more efficient transition to renewable sources. One possible alternative to solving this problem is to purchase sustainable electricity from countries with high potential to produce and sell electricity from renewable sources, such as Morocco. One of the significant steps in making strategic decisions is collecting necessary, reliable information to verify the imagined potential to produce and supply electricity to European countries. An interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary approach may lead to novel solutions with significant policy implications. In the context of the war, innovative solutions stemming from the inter-sectoral cooperation of geographically remoted partners can become resilience drivers. Many authors (Kousksou et al., 2015; Šimelytė et al., 2016; Oxford Analytica, 2021; Jerome et al., 2019; Kasri et al., 2023; Charouif & Lehnert, 2024; Hajou et al., 2024; Leonard et al, 2024) have explored Morocco's renewable energy potential from various perspectives. However, this article assesses Morocco's current energy situation through an in-depth analysis of key renewable energy projects completed and under development in Morocco. It also focuses on planned, existing and past international electricity transmission cases to predict prospects. For the same purpose, an expert study was conducted to determine the reasons limiting the development of such international projects. To find out the current situation of renewable energy production, use and trade in Morocco: - to investigate publicly available secondary information and scientific literature to reflect the current situation on the production of electricity from renewable sources; - to analyze the latest statistical information provided by the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency to find out the cases of energy transfer from Morocco to other countries; - to present the results of the expert investigation conducted to identify the specifics of problems related to renewable energy production and transmission. 2. Current situation and plans for renewable electricity generation in Morocco Morocco still faces fundamental challenges – its geographical position in a warming hotspot makes it vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Moreover, even as it seeks to end its dependence on fossil fuels, its energy demands are rising fast. While Morocco's emissions are small compared with those of many more developed nations, burning fossil fuels for energy and cement production is still a significant source of emissions in the country. Morocco still imports most of its energy to meet its rising energy consumption, which increased at an average annual rate of 6.5% between 2002 and 2015 (Alami, 2021). According to 2015 data, Morocco generated 98% of its electricity by burning fossil fuels and importing the missing electricity from Spain (Alami, 2021). Morocco relies particularly heavily on coal power, which it is expanding along with renewables, and now, around 40% of electricity in the country comes from coal (Alami, 2021). However, the Moroccan authorities decided to be “a destination for renewable energy”. Morocco has used its geographical position and environment to gain an edge in renewables, especially solar energy (Mensour et al., 2019). Morocco's national action on climate change dates back to the mid-2000s when the country decided to become a regional leader in clean energy and to push forward massive renewables projects. In 2009, Morocco set out an ambitious energy plan to make 42% of total installed power capacity renewable by 2020. Ultimately, Morocco missed its 2020 target, with enough renewable capacity to produce 37% of its energy 2020. By 2023, Morocco will reach the 42% target set for 2020, a delay caused by the pandemic (Fernández, 2023). It has a total installed generating capacity of about 11 000 MW and 4 030 MW of renewables. An additional 4 516 MW of renewables is under construction or planned (King, 2022; MASEN, n.d.). INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 66 Morocco has since pledged to increase the renewables in its electricity mix to 52% by 2030, comprising 20% solar, 20% wind, and 12% hydro. The Kingdom expects that by 2030, it will more than meet its targets, exceeding 64% green production of its total energy. The Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, announced the announcement during an appearance at a plenary session of the House of Representatives of the Moroccan Parliament. The minister explained that there are currently 61 projects underway with a total investment of around 550 million dollars (Fernández, 2023). According to Professor Mohammed Bennouna, interviewed by Hespress FR, the country's development and, therefore, all energy-related projects were developed according to 2008 studies, which indicated that the Kingdom would need a capacity of 24,000 GW to reach the 52% target. However, recent studies have shown that only 16,000 GW will be required by 2030, so the target is not closer; this situation will allow Morocco to be more ambitious in its quest for less dependence on hydrocarbons such as oil and coal. According to some sources, Morocco seeks to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable energy resources by 2050 (Anouar, 2022; King, 2022). The minister explained that there are currently 61 projects underway with a total investment of around 550 million dollars (Fernández, 2023). The government has achieved almost complete access to electricity for its rural population and is developing the country's significant renewable energy resources. However, progress in reducing the energy intensity of Morocco's economy is more challenging to achieve. While the share of renewables in electricity is progressing fast, its share in total final consumption decreased considerably over the past decade, given the expanding energy demand. Morocco has only renewable energy targets for electricity. The government is encouraged to set targets for modern renewables in residential and transport; this will strongly promote reducing fossil fuel use across the economy. As Morocco continues to rely on coal, oil, and gas imports for most of its energy needs, opportunities abound to reduce imports by developing domestic energy resources to reduce oil and coal use (IEA, 2023a). Initiated in 2009, the Moroccan Solar Plan is very ambitious. Many solar power plants have been planned and scheduled to be installed to implement this plan. The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) was set up to execute these projects in 2010. Its mission is to implement all projects related to the National Energy Strategy and to coordinate and supervise all other activities connected with this initiative (Boulakhbar et al., 2020). This organization, the central player in this national strategy, is in charge, alongside the National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE), of implementing the Royal vision for renewable energy. ONEE is currently the major player in Morocco's electricity market; it is the sole purchaser responsible for power imports and exports and purchasing electricity generated by independent power producers (IPPs), surplus electricity from self-generators and all renewable electricity production from MASEN projects. ONEE holds longterm power purchase agreements (PPAs) with these entities. ONEE also owns generation plants, including coal, gas and wind (which will be transferred to MASEN by 2021). ONEE's own generation market share has decreased with the growth of renewable energy projects developed by MASEN. Otherwise, under Law 38-16, ONEE has to transfer all renewable energy generation assets within five years to MASEN (except pump storage hydro plants, plants critical for the national electricity supply security and plants under Law 13-09). In terms of market shares in 2016, ONEE supplied power to the national market from its own plants (29.2%) and through independent power producers (52.9%) and imports (14.6%), with power from private industrial producers accounting for the remainder (3.3%). Masen generates clean electricity through integrated renewable energy projects to make the best possible use of solar, wind and hydraulics relevant to the country. The distribution of solar power generation projects in Morocco can be divided into four zones: Noor Midelt, Noor Quarzazate, Noor Laayoune, and Noor Boujdour. The average INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 67 incident solar radiation varies between 4.7 and 5.6 kWh/m2/day with a number of hours of sunshine that varies from 2700 hours/year in the North of Morocco to more than 3500 hours/year in the South. All projects known to the authors are presented in 1-3 Tables. Table 1. Solar energy projects, including private projects and projects under study Solar Energy Project Name/Location Installed Power: MW Surface Area: Ha Commi -ssioned Technology Used AIN BENI MATHAR - Ain Beni Mathar 450-470 160 2010 CSP With Combined Cycle/ Integrated Solar Combined Cycle NOOR Tafilalt ERFOUD - Erfoud 120 40 - 2019 PV ZAGORA - Zagora 40 - 2019 PV MISSOUR – Missour 40 - 2019 PV NOOR MIDELT I - Midelt 800 939 2022 CSP+PV NOOR OUARZAZATE I, Ouarzazate 160 480 2016 CSP, with a thermal storage of about 3 h NOOR OUARZAZATE II, Ouarzazate Drâa-Tafilalet 200 610 2018 Dry cooling CSP, with a thermal storage capacity of more than 7 h NOOR OUARZAZATE III, Ouarzazate 150 582 2018 Dry cooling CSP, with a thermal storage capacity of more than 7 h NOOR OUARZAZATE IV, Ouarzazate 72 137 2018 Polycrystallin PV with tracking system Noor Atlas (260MW) Ain Beni Mathar 42 - - PV BOUDNIB - Errachidia 36 - - PV NOOR BOUANANE - Bouarafa 30 - - PV NOOR ENJIL - Boulmane 42 - - PV Outat El-Haj 36 - - PV NOOR TATA - Tata 36 - - PV NOOR TANTAN – Tan-Tan 36 - - PV NOOR LAAYOUNE I - Laâyoune 85 240 2018 Polycrystallin PV with tracking system NOOR BOUJDOUR I - Boujdour 20 60 2018 Polycrystallin PV with tracking system Noor PV II (400 MW) NOOR BOUJDOUR II - Boujdour - 1690 - PV NOOR LAAYOUN II - Laâyoune - 1330 - PV AIN BENI MATHAR - Ain Beni Mathar 184 - - PV Sidi Bennour 48 - 2023 PV BEJAAD – Bajaad 48 400 - PV TAROUDANT - Taroudant 36 393 - PV OUTAT EL HAJ - Outat El Haj 36 - - PV GUERCIF - Guercif - 400 - PV KELÂA DES SRAGHNA - Kelâa Des Sraghna 48 473 - PV NOOR EL HAJEB – EL Hajeb 36 212 2024 PV NOOR LAKHTATBA - Lakhtatba - 300 - PV Noor Midelt Solar PV Park 1 210 - 2024 PV Source: (Power Technology, n.d.; MASEN, n.d.) Two technologies are used to produce solar energy: - CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) technology captures the sun’s rays using flat and curved mirrors and then concentrates them on a receiver that contains heat transfer fluid. This technology provides a good storage capacity, which helps meet the specific needs of the Moroccan grid. - PV (photovoltic) technology generates electricity directly from solar rays captured by semiconductor cells. This technology's maturity in a rapidly growing market makes it a very competitive solution for Morocco. INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 68 Wind energy is currently considered one of the most critical energy sources among the other renewable sources; it's fastest growing, commercially attractive source and is commonly used to generate electrical energy because of the mature and cost-effective energy conversation system technology (El Khchine et al., 2019). The Moroccan government has a strategy for developing renewable energies and energy efficiency. According to its energy strategy, the Moroccan government supports the development of renewable energies and their energy efficiency. According to statistics, Morocco's energy demand is rapidly increasing due to economic and demographic growth and is expected to triple by 2030. Morocco has good climatic and geographic conditions for installing wind turbines, with 17 regions selected for their use in wind power generation. Morocco has 3500 km of coastline, which means wind speeds can reach up to 10 m/s. Therefore, the estimated total theoretical potential of wind power in Morocco is 25 GW. Table 2 shows the Moroccan wind energy generation projects known to the authors. Table 2. Wind energy projects, including private projects and projects under study Wind energy projets Installed Power: MW Surface area: ha Commi -ssioned Technology used HAOUMA wind farm 50.6 - 2013 22 wind turbines. This project falls within the framework of Law 13-09 TANGER I wind farm - Béni Mejmel 140 500 2011 165 wind turbines TANGER II wind farm - Dhar Sadane Farm (PEI 850 MW) 70 563 Planned 2024 39 wind turbines Jbel KHELLADI wind farm - Ksar Sghir 120 - 2018 40 wind turbines, this project falls within the framework of Law 13-09 AL KOUDIA AL BAIDA (Abdelkhalek Torrès Farm) I 53.9 – 120 by 2020 270 Phase 1: 2000 - 2001 84 ~ wind turbines 230 AL KOUDIA AL BAIDA (Abdelkhalek Torrès Farm) II Repowering 120-200 - Phase 2: 2022 – 2024, under construction 5 ~ wind turbines LAFARGE wind farm - Tétouan 32 - 2010 This autoproduction project falls within the framework of Law 54-14 TAZA wind farm – IPE Phase I (150 MW) - Taza 150 800 2022 – 2025, under construction 45 wind turbines MIDELT - IPE (850 MW) - Midelt 180 - 210 - 850 2230 2020 48 wind turbines AMOGDOUL ESSAOUIRA wind farm - 15 Km South ESSAOUIRA 60 1600 2007 71 wind turbines JBEL LAHDID wind farmIPE (850 MW) - Essaouira 200 - 270 2404 2021 – 2023, under construction 61 wind turbines AKHFENNIR wind farm - TARFAYA province Laayoune 101,87 MW - 2014 61 wind turbines AKHFENNIR II wind farm - AKHFENIR (extension) 101.87 MW - 2016 61 wind turbines AKHFENNIR III wind farm - Laayoune Sakia El Hamra 50 MW - Planned 2023, under construction - TARFAYA wind farm - 15 km South Tarfaya 301 8900 2014 131 wind turbines CIMAR - Laâyoune 5 - 2012 This autoproduction project falls within the framework of Law 54-14 INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 69 Wind energy projets Installed Power: MW Surface area: ha Commi -ssioned Technology used FOUM EL OUED - Laâyoune 50 - 2013 22 wind turbines. This project falls within the framework of Law 13-09 Wind Farm AFTISSAT I - Boujdour 200 - 2018 56 Siemens turbines, this project falls within the framework of Law 13-09 Wind Farm AFTISSAT II - Laayoune - Sakia El Hamra 200 - 2022 67 turbines GE Energy Boujdour - IPE (850 MW) - Boujdour 300 – 850 12485 2021 30 wind turbines The Xlinks, Guelmim-Oued Noun 3500 - 2028 It will be powered by wind and solar DAKHLA Wind Farm – (Dakhla Wind Farm-IB 900 - 2027 - DAKHLA Wind Farm (Dakhla Wind Farm-II) DAKHLA Wind Farm (Dakhla Wind Farm-III) BIRANZARANE wind farm - 70 km north of DAKHLA 200 - Planed 2024, under construction - TISKRAD wind farm (850 MW) - Laayoune 100 2618 Under construction, expected in 2024 93 wind turbines GHRAD JRAD wind farm – Laayoune -Sakia El Hamra 80 - Under construction, expected in 2024 - CAP CANTIN wind farm – MARRAKECH - SAFI 108 - Under construction, planned 2024. - AM WIND wind farm - DAKHLA 100 - Under construction, planed 2023 - FERKAT wind farm - Region de GUELMIM 80 - Under construction, planed 2023 - OUALIDIA I wind farm 18 - 2021 - FOUM EL OUED wind farm 50,6 - 2013 22 wind turbines IPE - Integrated Wind Project Source: (Power Technology, n.d.; MASEN, n.d.; The Wind Power, n.d.) The Moroccan government has prioritized the growth of the renewable energy sector by enhancing the regulatory framework. The Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has recently amended Law 13-09 on Renewable Energy, Law 82-21 on self-production of electrical energy, as well as Law 48-15 on the regulation of the electricity sector and the creation of the ANRE (National Agency of Electricity Regulation). These amendments aim to improve the legislative and regulatory framework governing renewable energy projects by the private sector while guaranteeing the security and viability of the national electricity system (International Trade Administration, 2024). With an installed capacity of about 1770 MW, hydropower plays a key role in Morocco's energy mix, contributing 22% of its power generation. Morocco has long opted for the development of electric power dams. Indeed, King Hassan II had called for a new dam to be built every year. Today, Morocco is home to 26 hydropower stations, totalling 1360 MW in capacity, including Al Wahda, the second-largest dam in Africa. A 460-MW pumpedstorage facility in Afourer near Beni-Mellal complements Morocco's hydropower system. As part of Morocco's new energy development roadmap in 2008, authorities were looking to add 580 MW in hydropower capacity by 2020 through several engineering, procurement, and construction development projects. The flagship project is INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 70 developing a 350 MW pumped-storage power plant in Abdelmoumen, commissioned in 2020. The second major project is the development of a 170-MW dam in Mdez-El Menzel. Simultaneously, authorities have been looking to bolster private investments to develop new greenfield small to medium-scale hydropower plants under the scope of the renewable energy law. ONEE identified 200 sites that could contribute to isolated areas' energy needs. To facilitate the implementation of these hydropower projects, authorities amended Law No. 13-09 in September 2015 by lifting the legal cap on private-driven dam development from 12 MW to 30 MW. As a result, in 2015, Moroccan company Platinum Power – whose reference shareholder is US private equity fund Brookestone Partners – was awarded IPP licenses for five hydroelectric projects, totalling a projected combined capacity of 120 MW. The company launched tenders to construct the power stations, the cost of which has been estimated at $318m (€286m). Similarly, French renewable company Voltalia signed its first deal in 2015, consisting of the construction of several hydropower plants for a cumulated capacity of 40 MW. In 2015, ONEE launched a tendering procedure for the rehabilitation of 12 small and medium-sized hydropower plants (Oxford business group, 2016). Table 3. Hydroenergy projects, including private projects and projects under study Hydro energy projects Installed power: MW Surface area: ha Commi -ssioned Technology used: MOHAMMED V - Nador 23 0.15 1967 1 turbine BOUAREG - Berkane 6.4 - 1969 1 turbine ALLAL EL FASSI - Taounate 240 2.1 1994 3 turbines IDRISSI I - Taounate 41 0.45 1973 2 turbines AL WAHDA - Ouezzane 240 0.32 1998 3 turbines TAZA - Taza 0.6 - 1929 2 turbines LAU -TALAMBOT - Chefchaouen 14.1 - 1942 4 turbines STEP IFAHSA - Chefchaouen 300 - 2026 - TAURART - Chefchaouen 2 - 1951 2 turbines FEZ - Fez 3.1 - 1934 5 turbines EL MENZEL - Séfrou 95 - - - SEFROU - Séfrou 0.6 - 1994 - STEP EL MENZEL II - Séfrou 300 - 2026 - IMEZDILFANE/TASKDERT/TAJEMOUT - Khénifra 128 - 2025 - TANAFNIT-EL BORJ - Khénifra 40 106 2010 4 turbines MAACHOU - El-Jadida 20.8 - 1929 4 turbines AHMED EL HANSALI - Kasba Tadla 92 1.2 2003 1 turbine AIT MESSOUD - Kasba Tadla 6 0.66 2003 2 turbines AFOURER - Béni Mellal 94 2.5 1953 2 turbines STEP AFOURER - Béni Mellal 464 2.5 2005 4 turbines BINE EL OUIDANE - Béni Mellal 135 12.3 1953 3 turbines ZIDANIA - Béni Mellal 7.1 - 1936 2 turbines HASSAN I - Azilal 67 70 1991 1 turbine MOULEY YOUSSEF - Kelâa Des Sraghna 24 1 1974 2 turbines AGDEZ - Ouarzazate 20 - 2023 - MANSOUR DAHBI - Ouarzazate 10 0.35 1973 2 turbines AL MASSIRA - Settat 128 9 1980 2 turbines DAOURAT - Settat 17 5 1950 2 turbines IMFOUT - Settat 31.2 MW 5 1947 - 1949 2 turbines LALLA TAKERKOUST - Marrakech 12 MW 7.22 1934 2 turbines STEP ABDELMOUMEN - Taroudant 350 MW - 2022 - BOUFEKRANE - Meknès 0.6 MW - 1925 3 turbines MAASSER - Meknès 0.1 MW - 2008 - OUED EL MAKHAZINE - Ksar El Kébir 36 MW 0.5 1979 1 turbine EL KANSARA - Sidi Slimane 14 MW 0.2 1935 2 turbines Source: (Power Technology, n.d.; MASEN, n.d.) INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 71 Over the years, hydropower has remained a significant piece of Morocco’s renewables equation as a major pollution-reducing tool. As authorities and local businesses have been keen to develop stock energies further, administrative procedures have also been simplified to accelerate the development of hydropower plants. This action should support further growth in this critical field. 3. The current situation and plans for electricity transmission from Morocco to other countries The Sahara has a lot of land and sun, making it an appealing place to site massive solar generating stations, and the Kingdom of Morocco is doing just that. Add substantial wind resources inland and on the coast, and Morocco looks set to fulfil its declared intention of satisfying its own demands and becoming a regional exporter to North Africa and Europe. Morocco is positioning itself as a clean energy hub with the potential to export renewable power to Europe. It already has two electricity cables connecting it to Spain and plans for a subsea connection to the UK (Alami, 2021). Morocco can become an essential actor in exporting renewable electricity to a large regional market by exporting green electricity to Europe, considering its proximity to Spain. In this regard, several EU countries have interestingly implemented a "Roadmap for Sustainable Electricity Trade" (SET Roadmap) and signed an official declaration during the COP22 with Morocco. In this perspective, Morocco has already achieved significant electricity interconnection capacities with Spain (1,400 MW). The interconnection with Spain is the unique link between Europe and North Africa (Figure 1). Morocco is also interconnected with Algeria, with an exchange capacity of 1,200 MW. However, in 2021, Algeria decided unilaterally to cut diplomatic ties with Morocco, which also affected the termination of electricity exchange. Table 4 presents the quantities of Morocco's international exchange of electricity. The African market is up-and-coming since it is relatively poorly electrified and represents real investment opportunities for future years (Boulakhbar et al., 2020) in Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 80% of people lacking electricity access (IEA, 2023a, 2023b). Table 4. International electricity exchanges Electricity indicators 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Exchanges with Spain, GWh 5 833,697 4 926,117 4 950,124 5 747,323 3 778,387 -837,984 293,378 -178,793 1 396,882 Exchanges with Algeria, GWh 176,537 47,408 203,979 149,110 -3,945 -89,645 -61,067 -15.793 - Electricity production, GWh 33 529,614 34 413,148 35 414,527 37 216,652 37 446,116 38 852,570 38 754,532 41 259,792 41 420,371 Source: Information provided by Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (ONEE, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) The African market is up-and-coming since it is relatively poorly electrified and represents real investment opportunities for future years (Boulakhbar et al., 2020) in Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 80% of people lacking electricity access (IEA, 2023a, 2023b). Currently, Morocco continues the process of regional integration of energy markets. Firstly, the country has a project to establish an electrical interconnection line to Portugal with a capacity of 1,000 MW. Morocco is also planning to expand the interconnection with Spain by a third line with a capacity of 700 MW (Figure 1). INSIGHTS INTO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ISSN 2669-0195 (online) https://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2024 Volume 6 Number 2 (June) http://doi.org/10.9770/IRD.2024.6.2(4) 72 Figure 1. Morocco's regional and international electricity connections Source: (Boulakhbar et al., 2020) Already in 2022, Morocco's Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali told Forbes that Morocco could export more of its power from renewables to Spain, Portugal, and even the United Kingdom. Currently, there are two electricity interconnections with Europe, and a third is planned. The capacity of the interconnections is 1,400 MW, and power flows both ways, depending on generating and market conditions in Europe and Morocco (King, 2022). Discussions are under way to establish new interconnection lines with Mauritania (Boulakhbar et al., 2020). An ambitious project, Xlinks, is under consideration to develop a new 3 GW submarine cable linking Morocco to the UK, allowing green electricity to be sent directly to the UK without using existing infrastructure in Spain and France. The project will generate 6% of the UK's electricity demand (Boulakhbar et al., 2020). The Xlinks project seeks to broaden Morocco’s renewables export market to the UK. The Xlinks Morocco-UK Wind Project is a 3,500MW onshore wind power project in Guelmim-Oued Noun, Morocco. It is currently in the permitting stage and is expected to enter commercial operation in 2028 (Power Technology, 2023). The Morocco – UK Power Project will be powered by a wind and solar farm within Morocco's Guelmim Oued Noun region. The wind farm will utilize the reliable Trade Winds in the area, driven by the temperature differential between the Atlantic Ocean and the African continent. The windspeed at the generation site increases throughout the late afternoon and evening, ensuring power can be delivered to Britain during peak demand.