Morocco and France Deepen Strategic Energy Partnership with Focus on Renewables and Innovation
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, held a high-level meeting with her French counterpart, Marc Ferracci, in Paris on Friday to advance bilateral cooperation on major energy and climate-related projects.
The discussions, described as strategic in scope, reinforced the growing partnership between Morocco and France in the fields of renewable energy, electric interconnection, and low-carbon transition. The meeting builds on the momentum established during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October 2024, which had led to a series of landmark agreements under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
At the core of the meeting was the innovative electrical interconnection project between France and Morocco—a bidirectional, off-grid underwater link involving the installation of energy cables at unprecedented depths beneath the sea. Both ministers reviewed technical and regulatory steps required to launch an international market test, laying the groundwork for this ambitious energy infrastructure project.
In addition to energy interconnection, the ministers explored industrial cooperation, identifying joint investment opportunities across key renewable energy sectors, including solar and wind energy, cable manufacturing, battery production, and the development of strategic industrial components.
A key theme of the dialogue was the development of “green molecules” such as hydrogen and ammonia, with discussions focused on their use in land, maritime, and air transport. Both sides emphasized the necessity of coordinated industrial integration to fully leverage these emerging energy carriers.
The talks also underscored the shared priority of collaborative research and innovation. The two nations pledged to intensify efforts in advanced technologies including energy storage, electrolyzers, and sustainable mobility solutions, aimed at achieving competitive and climate-resilient energy systems.
The meeting concluded with renewed political and institutional commitments from both Morocco and France to pursue model projects that enhance energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and accelerate the climate transition.
This strengthened partnership is aligned with Morocco’s strategic vision of becoming a regional hub for clean energy and a major player in the global climate response, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and international collaboration.
