Highlights in 2019
High impact innovation activity triggered by MI
Launching the joint call MI2020.
Impact of your national clean energy innovation activity
- 801 professors, doctoral students and engineers supported
- 510 international communications
- 350 international publications
- 17 Laboratories created
- 8 in start-up creations in progress
- 29 Patents registered
- 27 Doctoral theses defended
- 6 Scientific events in 2019
- 318 Internships provided
Update on clean energy innovation policies and strategies
In 2009, Morocco has adopted a national energy policy in favour of the development of renewable energies to secure its energy supply in a context of strong growth in energy demand, to control the future costs of energy services in relation to the upward trend of petroleum products prices and, finally, to preserve the environment by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
This National Energy Strategy provided a road map for the transition to a clean energy future with greater energy security and lower carbon emissions in an effort to reduce dependence on imported energy. Its objectives included enhancing energy supply security, diversifying and optimising the electricity fuel mix, accelerating the deployment of renewables, making energy efficiency a national priority, supporting foreign investments in the sector, improving regional integration of the energy sector and allowing energy access for different social segments.
The Moroccan Government has made impressive progress in electrification. In 2018, the share of the population having access to electricity reached 99.43%, compared to just 48.1% in 1990. The challenge now is to upgrade the system to drive economic activities (especially in remote rural areas) and improve quality of life and affordability.
Morocco is pursuing an ambitious climate change policy based on the National Sustainable Development Strategy (November 2017), and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to UNFCCC when Morocco ratified the Paris Agreement on 21 September 2016. By 2030, Morocco has committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the entire economy by 17% below BAU levels, and to reducing them by an additional 25%, conditional on international support.
The energy sector is in a transition phase in Morocco over the last two decades. This reform is characterized by high penetration of renewables (42% of renewable electricity generation capacity in 2020), rational legal and institutional reforms, and liberalization of the electricity market. In fact, this orientation is the response to the rising demand for electricity following the accelerated development of industrial activities, the population growth, and the increase in per capita energy consumption.
Morocco aims to develop a national renewable energy industry, as it is diversifying its energy supply and increasing significantly the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix. Morocco seeks to become a major player in regional markets and has supported the development of cutting edge technologies, notably in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems.
The renewable energy objectives have become more ambitious: the 2030-target is now 52% of installed power capacity from renewable sources, of which 20% will consist of solar energy, 20% wind energy and 12% hydro energy. An increased ambition, regarding the new energy efficiency strategy with 20% by 2030.
In November 2016, Morocco became an IEA Association country. In June 2017, Morocco and the IEA signed a three-year Joint Programme of Work to deepen bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy security, energy efficiency, renewable energy, capacity building, data and statistics. The work programme is tailored to Morocco’s specific needs as it transitions to a low-carbon economy.
In November 2018 the Steering Committee in charge of the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) has prepared the State’s exemplary plan for sustainable development.
Major innovation initiatives and programmes in 2019/20
The investment included in the baseline and the doubling target represents 100% of Morocco’s clean energy innovation spending. The clean energy R&D Budget comes from the Energy Development Fund. It covers the specific budgets related to annual calls for R&D&I projects and the development of Research infrastructures, mainly:
- Annual R&D call “Green INNO-PROJECT”, specifically dedicated to supporting collaborative R&D projects with a strong potential for developing new market-oriented products, services or processes. The maximum duration of projects is three years. The funds provided are given in the form of a subvention in accordance with the project specifications. The maximum financial contribution for each funded collaborative R&D project is €300,000 per project.
- Annual R&D JOINT call “INNO-ESPAMAROC ENERGY” with the Spanish Government, between IRESEN and CDTI (SPAIN), specifically dedicated to supporting collaborative R&D projects with a strong potential for developing new market-oriented products, services or processes. The maximum duration of projects is three years. The funds provided are given in the form of a subvention in accordance with the project specifications. The maximum financial contribution for each funded collaborative R&D project is about €1 million per project.
- Annual Innovation call for projects: “Green INNO-BOOST” dedicated to support developers in the incubation or acceleration phases, mainly entrepreneurs (young companies and SMEs) who want to innovate, in partnership with a university or a research centre, having already developed an innovative product, service or process with high commercialization potential and added value. This involves paying attention to technology, but also to market issues, intellectual property, and financial challenges that could impact the success of the project. The funding is provided in the form of a grant and credit at 0%, according to the project specifications. The maximum duration of the project is two years. The maximum financial contribution for each collaborative R&D project is €300,000 per project, in the form of maximum 30% subsidy and maximum of 70% loan at 0% rate.
- Grants for Ph-D students, mobility of researchers and purchase of equipment and consumables.
- Setup of Laboratories inside the universities (more than 17 laboratories) and development of highly specialised research units as well as creation of knowledge and know-how through innovative and collaborative projects.
Private sector engagement in 2019/20
The General Confederation of Moroccan Companies – CGEM: The CGEM has contributed to the creation and preservation of a dynamic entrepreneurial environment that is essential to a healthy economy and sustainable growth, notably through the following two commissions:
The Logistics and Energy Competitiveness Commission and the Green Economy Commission: the role of these commissions is to reflect, encourage consultation and propose solutions on common issues related to the company’s activity, whether in economic, social, legal or tax matters. These commissions are forums for communication and debate that invite the members of the CGEM to enrich it with their proposals, ideas and actions.
Major activities in support of the Innovation Challenges in 2019/20
Development and setup of research infrastructures that provide universities and enterprises with testing, researching and training services:
IC3: Carbon Capture:
The Green H2A platform
IC5: Converting Sunlight:
The Green Energy Park, operational since 2017, is a renewable energy platform for testing, researching and training located in the town of Benguerir, next to Mohamed VI Polytechnic University. The facility was built in collaboration between IRESEN and the OCP Group and is considered as the first R&D platform of its kind in Africa. It is designed to create synergies and partnerships between different Moroccan research institutions, and to support the various partner universities as well as Moroccan industries in acquiring knowledge and know-how.
The Morocco-Ivory Coast Energy Park (MICEP) for south-south collaboration, in joint collaboration with INPHB institute in Yamoussoukro (Ivory Coast), dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency. It aims to bring together various institutions form Morocco and Ivory Coast (research centres, universities, development agencies, SMEs, etc.), and to encourage training, knowledge transfer and innovation in green technologies.
Other Mission Innovation related activity in 2019/20
Development and setup of research infrastructures that provide universities and enterprises with testing, researching and training services:
IC7: Affordable Heating & Cooling of Buildings
The Green and Smart Building Park (GSBP) is due to be opened in 2020 as a research and education platform dedicated to green buildings, energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources in the building sector. It aims to bring together various institutions and local actors in the building sector (research centres, universities, development agencies, SMEs, etc.), and to encourage research in energy efficiency and savings in the building environment.
IC8: Renewable and Clean Hydrogen
The World PtX SUMMIT 2020 , 1-3 December.
National plans and priorities for clean energy innovation
- The Ministry of Industry’s new strategy for the green economy
- Creation of a national PtX commission
- Development of the national PtX strategy