In a strategic transformation, the Moroccan ambition to achieve energy sovereignty embodies, the launch of the first national company concerned with efficiency and innovation services in the field of energy, under the name “Moroccan Energy Services” (INE). This leading initiative falls within a comprehensive national vision that aims to strengthen the site of renewable energies within the economic structure of the Kingdom, by establishing advanced financing mechanisms and experting technology, allowing actors, especially the actual and sustainable engagement in energy transformation workshops.
This initiative comes in an accurate international circumstance in which the transformations related to the transition to clean energies accelerate, in light of the exacerbation of climate challenges and the increasing pressure on energy security systems. In this context, the state is betting on establishing a flexible structured public company, capable of keeping pace with economic actors in downloading energy efficiency solutions, through effective technical and financial framing, allowing to reduce the cost of consumption and improve investment cost -effectiveness of projects with an energy dimension.
The Moroccan Energy Services Company is based on an advanced model for the public and private partnerships; The executive arm of the Deposit and Management Fund is related to filling in financial resources and directing them towards projects with a sustainable impact. This initiative aims to bridge the institutional void, which prevented the activation of energy efficiency programs in a number of vital sectors, especially public buildings and small and medium enterprises, as well as dirt groups that suffer from limited financing and a lack of qualified technical competencies.
“Smart Partnership”
The expert in renewable energies, Mohamed Bouhamidi, said that the establishment of the new company affiliated with the Deposit and Management Fund is a strategic step aimed at mobilizing the necessary funds to enhance investment in the energy sector, especially renewable ones. He explained that Morocco is betting on reaching 52% of energy consumption from renewable sources in the horizon of 2030, which requires huge investments and strong financing structures.
Bouhamidi added, in a statement to the electronic newspaper Hespress, that the company will play the role of the “energy bank”, by supporting and financing private contracting that face financial difficulties in implementing energy production projects, noting that a number of companies had received invitations from the guardians to accredit solar energy, but they apologized because of the absence of resources.
The same expert stated that the new legal framework draws clear features to distribute roles within the energy sector, by separating production, distribution and transportation activities. While the role of regional companies is limited to distribution, wider capabilities are granted to the private sector in the areas of production, especially in light of a motivational fiscal system that determines the value -added tax in 14% for renewable energies, and 20% of the excavation energies. This trend comes within the framework of a strategic vision aimed at diversifying energy sources and enhancing the Kingdom’s energy independence on the horizon of global market transformations.
“Energy sovereignty”
The economist Khaled Ashiban stressed that Morocco is moving steadily towards achieving national sovereignty in the field of energy, noting that foreign investments were present in this sector, but the current stage focuses on imposing a clear national sovereignty, its most prominent models in the last agreement signed with the Emirati side, which he described as balanced, are focused on the strategic interests of Morocco.
Ashiban, in a statement to the electronic newspaper Hespress, said that the entry of national institutions such as the Mohammed VI Investment Fund and the Deposit and Management Fund to the energy sector, represents a positive development, especially at the level of financing, framing, training, and benefiting from experience. He highlighted that the Emirati Fund with which the agreement was signed has a long experience in investing in Morocco, which constitutes an opportunity to benefit from its experiences, within a national perspective that seeks to achieve energy sovereignty.
He added that Morocco is working in parallel to address major challenges, such as the water and drought crisis, creating new job opportunities, and ensuring the sustainability of resources, stressing that the goal is not only funding, but empowerment through training and transferring experience, so that national enterprises can independence and success in implementing their projects.
“Correction of data”
Amin Benouna, an expert in renewable energies, explained that the “Moroccan Energy Services Company” is not the first national company specialized in the field of energy services, evoking the presence of another company for the capital of the state, named “SIE”, which has been active in this field for more than ten years. He stressed that the latter operates within the legal framework regulating the sector, specifically Law 47-09 issued in the Official Gazette in 2011, which witnessed new amendments in 2024.
Benouna said, in an interview with Hespress, that what distinguishes these companies is their focus on supporting dirt groups in energy efficiency projects, such as changing traditional public lighting that consumes large amounts of electricity.
He added that groups that do not have sufficient budget to complete these projects can resort to energy services companies, which are funding and installing high efficiency lighting, and then recovering their investments from the difference in the cost of energy consumption over a specific contract.
As an example of this model, the spokesman referred to a previous project that concerns lighting and heating water in mosques using solar energy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf, where the electricity bill was largely reduced, which allowed directing the surplus to pay the cost of the company’s investment over a period of four to ten years, depending on each case.
Benuna also talked about the possibility of applying this model in the future to homes, by equipping it with solar panels to reduce the energy bill, without electricity being sold, which remains legal prohibited. He stressed that the monthly performance against service can be a practical solution for both the citizen and the company, especially for those who do not have the ability to invest in this field.
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