Renewable energies and regional integration: where does Morocco stand, and what role for the Dakhla region?

Abstract

Morocco is in a strategic position favoring its energy integration with neighboring countries. It is linked by interconnections with Spain, Algeria and Mauritania, it plans to establish an interconnection with Portugal and England.

Similarly, climate imperatives and the search for energy savings imply the development of renewable energies which are at the heart of the energy transition, one of the central axes in the development strategy of the African and European community.

It is in this sense that Morocco has embarked on a national energy integration strategy, aimed at the profound transformation of its energy production system and the reduction of its energy dependence.

Today, we can say that in terms of electrical energy, the Kingdom is on the right track to become independent of imports, or even to export and to considerably reduce the price of electricity for consumption, thanks to its ambitious energy transition policy and its massive investments in renewable energies. On the other hand, for other types of energy, the country does not seem to be up to its expected objectives.

In this case, the Dakhla Oued-Eddahab region is Morocco's port to Africa. It has enormous natural, economic and social potential which makes it a strategic region allowing Morocco to support its strategy.

JEL Classification: F63, O30, O31, O33

Paper type :  Theoretical Research