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In its latest report, the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (ANRE) analyzed Morocco's energy landscape for 2023, highlighting significant progress in renewable energy development and shifts in the energy mix. Published on December 25, the report emphasized the country's achievements in expanding installed capacities and renewable energy contributions.
The report states that Morocco's total electricity production in 2023 reached 42.38 TWh, marking a 2.3% increase compared to 2022. Renewable energy contributed 21.7% to total production, representing a 22.7% rise from the previous year.
Although coal-based electricity production dropped by 6.6%, coal remained the dominant energy source, comprising 64% of the energy mix in 2023. Meanwhile, electricity generated from fuel and diesel decreased by 58.6%, accounting for 3.8% of total production.
Natural gas production climbed to 10% of total output, marking the highest increase in four years, attributed to Morocco's entry into the international natural gas market with its first purchase agreement signed in 2022.
The report notes a clear upward trend in Morocco’s electricity production since 2010, largely driven by significant growth in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. However, fossil fuel-based production, including natural gas, heating oil, and diesel, has experienced fluctuations, while hydropower production has steadily declined since 2018.
A growing electricity demand
National electricity demand in 2023 totaled 43.95 TWh, a 3.8% increase from 2022, with 96.3% of this demand met by domestic production. Between 2010 and 2023, electricity demand grew by an average of 4% annually, except for a dip in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Regarding electricity sales distribution, ONEE held 52.4%, delegated managers contributed 22.1%, municipal authorities accounted for 11.8%, and large direct clients made up 13.7%. Electricity exchanges via interconnections with Spain amounted to 1,839 GWh, representing 3.4% of Morocco’s total electricity demand.
The total installed capacity of renewable energy sources reached 4,618 MW in 2023, an 11.1% increase from the previous year. Renewable energy now makes up 40.4% of the total installed capacity, with production amounting to 9,189 GWh, or 21.7% of national electricity production.
Renewable energy progress
In details, ANRE reports that solar capacity increased from 20 MW at Ain Bni Mathar to 831 MW with the NOOR projects, while wind energy capacity rose from 220 MW in 2010 to 2,017 MW in 2023. However, hydro and pumped storage plants showed limited progress, with Afourer (460 MW) operational since 2004 and Abdelmoumen (350 MW) nearing completion.
Hydraulic energy, affected by water stress, accounted for just 1.2% of total production in 2023, generating 516 GWh, down from 679 GWh in 2022. Wind energy projects like AFTISSAT 2 (200 MW) and BOUJDOUR (318 MW) drove wind capacity to 2,017 MW, representing 17.7% of total installed capacity. Wind production made up 15.4% of total electricity output and 71% of renewable energy production.
In 2023, solar energy contributed 5.1% to national production, generating 2,148 GWh, a 48.15% increase from 2022. Solar installations accounted for 7.3% of total installed capacity and 18% of the renewable energy mix, with 88% of solar energy produced by MASEN installations and 12% by ONEE facilities.
