Morocco's southern regions have emerged as the most competitive areas in the country for green ammonia production, thanks to their exceptional natural conditions. The regions boast high solar irradiance and strong winds, as well as vast areas suitable for large-scale projects. These conditions have made the regions attractive for investments in green hydrogen and ammonia production. The Moroccan government has launched an initiative to develop green hydrogen, aiming to make the country a global player in this field.
The Moroccan government's initiative to develop green hydrogen, launched in 2024, has attracted major international groups to the southern regions. These groups have pledged investments totaling approximately 319 billion dirhams. The investments will be used to develop green hydrogen and ammonia production projects in the regions of Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, and Guelmim-Oued Noun. The projects are expected to create new opportunities for economic growth and job creation in the regions.
One of the major projects announced is the "ORNX" project, a partnership between US-based "Ortus," Spanish "Acciona," and German "NordX." The project will involve an investment of 45 billion dirhams and will be built in the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region. The project will have a capacity of 2 GW of wind and solar energy, as well as 900 MW of electrolyzers, producing 100,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. The hydrogen will be converted into 560,000 tons of green ammonia per year, which will be exported or used to support the national and international fertilizer industries.
In the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region, a project called "TAQA-Moeve" has been launched as a partnership between UAE-based "TAQA" and Spanish "Moeve." The project aims to produce green fuel and clean derivatives by harnessing the region's wind energy. The products will be manufactured and transported to global markets, primarily through the Dakhla Atlantic port, which is currently under construction.
The Guelmim-Oued Noun region will host the "Al-Shabika" project, developed by a consortium led by French "TotalEnergies" and Danish "CIP." The project will involve an investment of 1 GW of renewable energy, producing 200,000 tons of green ammonia per year. The ammonia will be exported to European markets.
The development of green hydrogen and ammonia production in Morocco's southern regions is part of a broader strategy to promote economic growth and sustainable development. The projects are expected to create new job opportunities and stimulate local economies. The Moroccan government has set ambitious targets for the development of green hydrogen and ammonia production, aiming to become a major player in the global market.
The progress of these projects has been significant, with several having already signed official land reservation contracts with the state and completed technical and environmental studies. The development of green hydrogen and ammonia production in Morocco's southern regions is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and environment.
Key points
- Morocco's southern regions have attracted significant investments in green hydrogen and ammonia production, driven by exceptional natural conditions and government incentives.
- The projects are expected to create new job opportunities and stimulate local economies, contributing to Morocco's economic growth and sustainable development.
- Morocco aims to become a major player in the global green hydrogen and ammonia market, with several large-scale projects currently under development.
