AFRICA – Morocco’s Agency for Energy Efficiency and the Senegalese National Agency for Renewable Energy have signed an agreement for joint advancement in the energy transition.
The new dynamic arrangement, facilitated by the Andalusia Agency for International Development, includes comprehensive training for Senegalese officials in Rabat and a reciprocal arrangement for their Moroccan counterparts in Dakar.
The move builds on a prior Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two nations, to leverage Morocco’s energy expertise in support of Senegal’s evolving market.
Senegals’ road to green energy is on track, with a 23% renewables share in the national grid and plenty of room for development.
The Senegalese government had earlier dropped VAT taxation for 22 electricity and biogas production facilities, placing wind, solar PV, and biogas as major growth zones for the economy.
The move, which is aligned to Senegal’s Green Growth Strategy, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), proved to be a breakthrough in the energy transition efforts.
Currently sitting with 37% renewables capacity in its national grid, Morocco is widely recognized as an African frontrunner in the sector, pushing for 52% by 2030 and up to 100% by 2050.
The north African country’s 2009 National Energy Strategy under the authority of its Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development furthers the renewables agenda through targeted energy efficiency plans for a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2030 compared to business as usual.
Last year, the Ministry signed a strategic partnership agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), specifically referencing proposed work on green hydrogen amongst other renewables areas.
The renewables work is supported by both financing and technological resources provided in large part by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), through their long-standing partnership with the nation.
The strategy offers a blueprint for reductions in carbon emissions and numerous socioeconomic benefits, over the next 25 years and is supported by financing vehicles like the Renewables and Energy Efficiency Fund.
The induction of a new GGGI Country Representative for Senegal this year is also expected to see further traction of the strategy towards a renewable-backed, energy-efficient industry.
March 31 will see the Council’s Annual General Meeting, chaired by the Senegalese Minister of the Environment, offering further impetus for the implementation of the strategy.
Irrespective, the partnership between Morocco and Senegal marks a major step forward for the pan-African energy transition, intracontinental cooperation, and best practice sharing.
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