Morocco-EU Green Partnership: pioneering the renewable energy revolution, a strategic plan for a greener Europe and Africa

A joint conference was organised in Brussels by the Mission of the kingdom of Morocco to the EU and NATO, the Brussels-based think tank on EU affairs, CEPS and the European Institute of the Mediterranean to fully exploit the potential of the EU-Morocco Green Partnership.

The EU-Morocco Green Partnership was signed by Frans Timmermans, then Executive Vice President of the European Commission, during his visit to Morocco on 18-19 October 2022. It is the first EU initiative of its kind with a partner country as part of the external dimension of the European Green Deal. With the launch of the EU-Morocco Green Partnership, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have strengthened their cooperation in the fields of the environment, biodiversity conservation and the fight against climate change.

The EU- Morocco Green Partnership is the first green partnership agreement the EU has signed with a partner country. It aims to promote the external dimension of the European Green Plan on three main thematic axes: climate and energy; environment, including maritime and marine issues; and first of all, the green economy.

Through this agreement Morocco and the EU have woven a partnership of joint solutions in the complex web of energy and industry, which boldly addresses the challenges posed by rising energy prices in Europe.

The recent conference, held on 27 October, was attended by influential leaders including European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, Felix Mourinho, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank and Leila Benali, Minister, Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco, who stressed the shared vision of revolutionising energy practices, the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation and encouraging further similar partnerships, especially with Africa.

In her speech at the conference, Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, said that the EU and Morocco agree on the urgency of resolving the present energy crisis. “We both recognise that energy is the key challenge when we have to take into consideration that the European Union aims to become climate neutral by 2050. EU cannot reach this goal alone. We can only achieve this goal with partners like Morocco. The Green Partnership with Morocco is the deepest and most comprehensive sustainability partnership the EU has ever concluded with any partner country and has become a model for other partner countries. I must add, that the realisation of this shared vision is accompanied by ambitious financial commitments. The EU is mobilising all its instruments to ensure the successful implementation of the Green Partnership with Morocco, with more than €200 million in funding for the period 2022-2023 alone.”

 “The Moroccan-EU Green Partnership is gaining momentum, which also echoes as a call for global action,” said Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali in her speech. “With our partnership, we are encouraging nations, organisations and individuals around the world to follow this alliance, promoting cross-border cooperation. In particular, we are encouraging African nations to build on the success of this partnership to come together and pave the way for a continent-wide sustainable revolution. Africa has enormous potential for renewals. It is time for strategic partnerships such as the Morocco-EU Green Partnership to flourish across the African continent. Let’s turn our strategic vision into a shared reality and power Africa’s future through sustainable energy.” – she added.

Strengthening communities, preserving ecosystems: a holistic approach

Beyond renewable energy, the Morocco-EU Partnership is a mandate for ecosystem conservation with a holistic approach. The Noor Ouarzazate solar complex embodies this holistic approach, providing clean energy while revitalising local communities. This partnership is not just a pact, this is a strategic initiative that strengthens economies, preserves nature and demonstrates the potential of sustainable cooperation.

“Morocco has made great strides forward. I was honoured to witness this in the last three years of my mandate. Morocco is a pioneer in the development of renewable energy in Africa and beyond… I am aware of the country’s extraordinary potential, with abundant renewable energy and natural resources, complemented by a young, vibrant and increasingly educated population. Morocco has two of the most powerful factors of the future. Green energy and brain power” – said Felix Mourinho, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.

Innovation as a driving force

Success is no accident, as innovation is at the heart of the Morocco-EU Partnership. From pioneering solar technologies to transformative wind solutions, the collaboration exemplifies the power of strategic innovation. These initiatives, backed by European leaders, inspire hope and set the stage for a renewable future. This collaboration embodies the strength of unity, innovation and unwavering determination in a world grappling with energy insecurity.

By advocating for strategic partnerships in Africa, Europe’s leaders are not only a beacon of hope for Africa, but also a beacon of light that illuminates the way forward. Through a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation and strategic sustainability, it has shown that a greener, more prosperous future is not just a dream, but an achievable strategic reality.

By Endre Barcs