Tuesday 4 November 2014

Morocco ‘must boost energy efficiency’

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is calling on Morocco to reinforce its current energy efficiency strategy through “clear regulation and incentives”.

In its latest in-depth review of the nation’s energy strategy, it is also urging the nation to maintain recent progress in reducing fossil fuel subsidies and believes it has “impressive” potential in both wind and solar power.

Morocco depends on imported energy for 90% of its needs, the report said.

The country is also being urged to set up an energy regulator to supervise an “even more open” power market and encourage wider use of gas as well as maintain the confidence of foreign investors and the domestic industry.

However, the IEA believes Morocco's National Energy Strategy, which was set up in 2009, is "very much on target".

Maria van der Hoeven, IEA Executive Director said: “Under political guidance from the highest level, Morocco has shown an admirable determination to play to its strengths and in our view the National Energy Strategy set out in 2009 has taken Morocco very much in the right direction.”

“This strategy has yielded significant results since its entry into force,” the report added.