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In Morocco, where renewable energies represent about 40% of the total consumed, the authorities are committed to a vast plan to decarbonize industrial sectors. This involves both responding to the challenges of climate change and strengthening competitiveness.
Since 2017, Morocco has implemented a national decarbonization strategy for its industry. The aim is to emit less CO2 by using more renewable energies (solar, wind, hydraulic). 2017 is also the year when Hakim Marrakchi, CEO of Maghreb Industries, moved his chewing-gum factory from the center of Casablanca to the airport’s industrial zone, opting for a low-carbon strategy.
« We have built a factory with a roof paved with photovoltaic panels, and also with energy recovery systems. So in terms of our carbon footprint, we have saved around two thousand tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. “, he congratulates himself.
Maghreb Industries has reduced its consumption of fossil fuels by 20% and intends to go further by increasing the size of its solar power plant, in order to also supply the industrial process of manufacturing chewing gum.
« We are now adding a hybrid photovoltaic heat production system where both electricity and hot water are produced. That’s how we cover our needs up to eighty degrees in temperature, explique Hakim Marrakchi. And to go from eighty to one hundred and eighty or one hundred and forty, which are the operating temperatures of the cookers, there, we will need to set up other devices. Which we expect to acquire in 2023 or 2024. And by then almost all of our production will be electric. “, adds the CEO of Maghreb Industries.
A carbon tax in 2025
Assia Benhida works for the consulting firm PwC, commissioned by the Moroccan authorities to support them in their decarbonization and energy transition strategy. It draws up an inventory of the sectors deemed to be priorities.
« One of the first priority sectors is everything related to the construction sector, cement, etc. There are also cottage industries that need to be moved from an area “grey” to “green”, one thinks in particular of the leather industry. We also have agri-food industries for two reasons. The first is that they export heavily to the European Union and to other countries. But also because agro-industry is a major job provider. »
As Assia Benhida points out, the challenge for Moroccan industry is both climatic and competitive. Indeed, from 2025, Europe will impose a carbon tax on insufficiently carbon-free imports. And Morocco does not intend to let its manufacturers lose ground against greener competitors.
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