Morocco Aims for Green Hydrogen Exports

Why this is here: Morocco estimates its best solar and wind sites can produce hydrogen in the $1.5–$2.0 per kilogram range, offering competitive margins due to its proximity to European markets and integrated value chains.

In Morocco, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Germany’s Johann David Wadephul recently committed to closer collaboration on renewable energy and hydrogen. The country is positioning itself to supply green hydrogen, ammonia, and e-methanol to the global market, building on a national energy strategy that reached 37% renewable energy by 2020. Morocco’s abundant solar and wind resources, particularly around Laâyoune and Dakhla, are central to these plans.

The state-owned OCP Group is investing €30 million in the HydroJeel platform to produce 100,000 tons of green ammonia annually starting next year. The ORNX consortium plans a $4.5 billion facility in Laâyoune, aiming for 560,000 tons of ammonia production powered by 2 GW of renewables.

However, large-scale hydrogen production requires significant water resources, necessitating desalination facilities, and projects in certain regions involve navigating sensitive territorial issues. Morocco continues to seek technology partnerships to localize the production of key components like electrolyzers, and ongoing work aims to streamline project approvals and workforce training.