chargement...
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $265 million in financing for Morocco’s Ifahsa pumped-storage hydropower project, a strategic investment aimed at strengthening clean energy infrastructure in the north of the kingdom. One of the largest energy storage projects of its kind in Africa, the initiative forms part of Morocco’s efforts to accelerate its energy transition and increase the share of renewable sources in its electricity mix.
According to a World Bank statement, the project will be developed near Chefchaouen, where it will serve as a «giant battery» for the national electricity grid. It will store surplus electricity generated by solar and wind power by pumping water to an upper reservoir during periods of excess production, then release it to generate electricity when demand increases. The technology is expected to improve grid stability, enhance the integration of renewable energy, and ensure a more reliable and cleaner electricity supply for households and businesses.
The plant will have a generation capacity of 300 megawatts, allowing Morocco to integrate at least 1 gigawatt of additional solar and wind power into the national grid while helping mobilize an estimated $1 billion in private investment. It is also expected to replace around 3 terawatt-hours of fossil fuel-generated electricity each year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1.7 million tonnes annually.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to create around 820 direct jobs each year, in addition to generating further employment opportunities linked to the expansion of renewable energy projects and related industries. It will also provide Moroccan businesses with access to cleaner electricity, boosting their competitiveness in international markets.
The project is financed through a partnership involving the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the Clean Technology Fund, the Fund for a Livable Planet, and the African Development Bank. It will be implemented by Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE).
