Morocco Leads Africa’s Solar Revolution,Emerging as Key Energy Hub
NOURZANE,MOROCCO – Morocco is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in Africa’s energy transition,driven by ambitious solar energy projects and a strategic vision to become a regional energy hub. The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Power Station, combining photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, exemplifies the nation’s capacity to undertake large-scale projects.
Beyond technological advancement, these initiatives are fostering local employment, technical training, and applied research, with further installations planned for Morocco’s southern and oriental regions to strengthen the national grid.
The push for solar isn’t solely environmental; it’s a critical step towards energy sovereignty,leveraging Morocco’s abundant sunlight. The country is already interconnected with the European network via Spain, boasting an exchange capacity of 900 MW. This positions Morocco to serve as a vital energy link between Europe and africa.
“Now that solar panels have become so cheap, the real value for most African countries does not reside in thier manufacture, but in a better exploitation of inexpensive electricity that they provide,” notes Dave Jones, director of the global insights program at EME.
Economic benefits are also becoming apparent. ESTE highlights that avoided diesel costs could allow for solar panel amortization in as little as six months in Nigeria, a trend mirrored in Morocco where solar electricity is increasingly competitive with fossil fuel production. However, ESEM stresses the need for improved traceability and data quality to accurately assess the impact of solar installations.
A recent report by EMBER, an independent London-based energy research group, confirms the burgeoning solar energy sector in Africa, stating, “The first signs of a boom in solar energy in Africa are now there.” And Morocco, according to the report, is “already essential at the top of the peloton.”
EMBER specializes in analyzing global energy data to accelerate the transition to clean electricity, utilizing open data sources like customs flows and national energy balance sheets to forecast industry trends. Their 2025 report on solar in Africa is part of this ongoing strategic analysis supporting global decarbonization efforts.
