Morocco greenlights $32.5B hydrogen bet

In Morocco, the African Energy Council reported the government has approved $32.5 billion in green hydrogen projects to produce ammonia, fuel, and steel, according to the Moroccan prime minister’s office. Each project will receive up to 30,000 hectares of land once preliminary agreements are signed.

The approvals include U.S.-based Ortus, Spain’s Acciona, and Germany’s Nordex for ammonia production. UAE’s Taqa and Spain’s Cepsa will jointly produce ammonia and fuel, while Morocco’s Nareva will manufacture ammonia, fuel, and steel. Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power secured approval for steel production, and China’s UEG and China Three Gorges will collaborate on ammonia.

Morocco sees green hydrogen—produced through renewable-powered electrolysis—as central to energy security and export growth, particularly to the European Union, which plans to import 10 million tons by 2030 under its Green Deal. In March last year, the government designated 300,000 hectares for integrated hydrogen projects.

The move follows recent agreements, including France’s TotalEnergies’ October deal for green hydrogen development and Engie’s partnership with Moroccan phosphate giant OCP to produce ammonia. With renewables at 45% of installed energy capacity, Morocco aims to reach 52% by 2030. The government has not disclosed project timelines or funding sources.

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