A Moroccan government committee has approved green hydrogen projects worth 319 billion dirhams ($32.5 billion) to produce ammonia, steel, and industrial fuel.
The committee selected U.S.-based Ortus, Spain’s Acciona, and Germany’s Nordex to develop green ammonia, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office, though it did not disclose project timelines or funding sources.
Additionally, the government approved a joint project by the UAE’s Taqa and Spain’s Cepsa to produce ammonia and fuel, along with Morocco’s Nareva, which will manufacture ammonia, fuel, and steel.
Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power secured approval to produce steel, while China’s UEG and China Three Gorges will collaborate on ammonia production.
Once a preliminary agreement is signed, Morocco will grant each project up to 30,000 hectares of land.
The government envisions green hydrogen—generated through electrolysis powered by renewable energy—as a key driver for domestic energy security and export expansion, particularly to the European Union, which plans to import 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030 under its Green Deal.
In March last year, Morocco launched the first phase of its strategy, allocating 300,000 hectares to integrated projects that will generate renewable electricity and convert green hydrogen into ammonia, methanol, and synthetic fuel.
France’s TotalEnergies signed an agreement with the Moroccan government in October to develop green hydrogen, while Engie partnered with Moroccan phosphates and fertilizer giant OCP to produce ammonia from green hydrogen.
Morocco aims to increase the share of renewables in its installed energy capacity from 45% today to 52% by 2030.
source:reuters.com
