Speaking during a meeting of the Public Finance Control Commission at the House of Representatives, devoted to the financial governance of the management of the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE), Ms. Benali stressed that the new approach takes into account the objectives of the National Sustainable Development Strategy (SNDD) as well as the recommendations of the New Development Model, and targets the transport, buildings, industry, agriculture and lighting sectors audience.
This approach, she specified, is mainly based on respect for the principles of energy efficiency in new investment projects, the integration of energy efficiency measures in public expenditure and programs benefiting from subsidies from the State, and the importance of placing this efficiency at the heart of the concerns of professionals and citizens.
Ms. Benali noted that energy efficiency constitutes the second pillar of the national energy strategy, launched under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and also represents a promising area for the creation of employment opportunities in the field. energy, with 100,000 jobs planned by 2030.
She affirmed that the ministry attaches particular interest to the development of energy efficiency, as an essential lever of the energy transition, contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of Moroccan companies and reducing the energy bill of citizens and stakeholders. economic.
In this regard, the minister indicated that an energy saving of 6.58% had been recorded in 2020, according to data from the AMEE, which is currently working to update this indicator.
She also revealed that the required studies have been carried out for the development of regional energy efficiency and decarbonization plans in all regions of the Kingdom, which will, according to the minister, ensure the energy rehabilitation of local authorities in particular, and make significant savings in their energy consumption.
The minister indicated that the application of energy efficiency measures in the public lighting sector will reduce lighting consumption by 40%, noting that public lighting expenses occupy second place in the budget of local authorities after personnel expenditure, and constitute the first item of energy expenditure in local authorities.
Ms. Benali recalled that the government had launched a pilot experiment in 2022 aimed at rewarding citizens and stakeholders who have reduced their electricity consumption. This initiative made it possible to achieve an energy saving of 3%, she said.
After reviewing the regulatory framework for energy efficiency, the minister announced that other implementing texts are being finalized, relating in particular to the revision of the energy consumption thresholds set by the decree relating to energy efficiency. mandatory energy audit, as well as the development of a draft order defining the minimum energy performance of lighting systems.
Regarding the skills of the AMEE, the minister indicated that a bill is currently being examined to broaden the missions of the Agency, so as to become more autonomous and more efficient, maintaining that this institutional reform aims to strengthen the governance of the Agency, by adopting best practices in the management, monitoring and evaluation of energy efficiency programs.
For his part, the Director General of AMEE, Mohamed Benyahya, stressed that this bill aims to entrust new responsibilities to the Agency, particularly in the field of decarbonization of various sectors of the national economy. and the promotion of the circular economy, in particular through the recovery of waste from industrial activities.
In his presentation, Mr. Benyahya specified that this institutional reform aims to promote complementarity between energy efficiency, decarbonization and rational use of resources within the framework of the circular economy, while filling certain institutional gaps to strengthen the role of Agency through monitoring, measurement and verification mechanisms.