Morocco’s green hydrogen ambitions have reached a significant step forward as Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch chaired a steering committee meeting in Rabat today, where five major investors were selected to develop six projects valued at MAD 319 billion ($31.9 billion) across the country’s three southern regions, marking a major step in Morocco’s push toward sustainable energy development.
Some of the companies included in the project are the ORNX consortium, comprising American firm Ortus, Spain’s Acciona, and Germany’s Nordex, to focus on ammonia production. UAE- based Taqa and Spain’s Cepsa formed a second consortium that will produce both ammonia and industrial fuel.
Moroccan company Nareva is set to invest in a large-scale project covering ammonia, industrial fuel, and green steel production, while Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power will focus on green steel manufacturing, according to reports that came out in February. Additionally, a Chinese consortium consisting of UEG and China Three Gorges will establish ammonia production facilities.
In October 2024, two other agreements were signed between Morocco and France, witnessed by King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron. One of the agreements focused on partnering Morocco with TotalEnergies, while the second establishes collaboration between OCP and ENGIE, inclusive of five projects, with one focused on green hydrogen.
As per reports, each project will be granted up to 30,000 hectares of land, with contractual frameworks by the government to ensure that the public lands are used responsibly. The selection process is said to have followed a “scientific and transparent methodology,” ensuring balanced and sustainable partnerships between Morocco and its investors.
An implementation framework for Morocco’s green hydrogen strategy was issued on March 11, 2024, by the government. The strategy seeks to leverage Morocco’s strategic location, abundant natural resources, and world-class infrastructure.
Key government officials, including Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, Equipment and Water Minister Nizar Baraka, Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour, Investment Minister Karim Zidane, Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa, and MASEN CEO Tarik Moufaddal, attended the meeting. The selection process remains open to additional investors interested in participating in Morocco’s green hydrogen sector development.