Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch said 40% of Morocco’s electricity comes from renewable energy, with the figure expected to reach 52% by 2023, the official noted in a speech during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) on Wednesday in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.
During Morocco’s segment at the conference, Akhannouch underpinned King Mohammed VI’s energy transition strategy at the national and international level, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported.
He highlighted Morocco’s pursuit of renewable energy-powered seawater desalination and green hydrogen projects as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The ambitious project showcases Morocco’s significant advancements in decarbonization and sustainability.
He also pointed to the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative (Triple A) as a crucial step in adapting African agriculture to modern climate challenges. The Triple A initiative focuses on three main areas: promoting better soil management, enhancing irrigation systems, and integrating climate-resilient agricultural technologies.
Akhannouch said the initiative embraces a “bold vision: transforming African agriculture and protecting the environment to address climate change.”
The Moroccan official also highlighted the nation’s tremendous competitive edge in solar and wind energy production, which allowed massive projects to flourish, such as the Morocco-United Kingdom Xlinks cables. The underwater cables could power up to seven million homes in the UK using renewable energy.
Akhannouch added: “Morocco fully assumes its responsibilities. However, these challenges concern every country on this planet, especially the most industrialized nations.”
He urged stronger engagement from all Member States to provide sustainable financing solutions for adaptation funds and climate insurance mechanisms to empower vulnerable countries, often the least responsible for emissions and most affected by climate disasters.