Organized by the World Bank, in collaboration with MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy), this meeting, whose work continues until November 7, aims to share experiences in the field of energy storage and to present the latest new developments and trends in technologies in this area.
This Forum, which is paired this year with the 11th meeting of the ESP, sees the participation of private companies from the battery and energy storage sector, government clients of the World Bank, partners of this initiative and experts of the domain.
In a statement to MAP, Hicham Bouzekri, director of research and development and industrial integration within MASEN, stressed that Morocco is positioned as a leader in the field of the energy storage sector, particularly through the solar complex. Noor Ouarzazate, noting that several participating countries have expressed their wish to benefit from this pioneering Moroccan experience.
“Morocco is in the process of strengthening this partnership by setting up a testing platform for energy storage batteries, which will allow in the future a stronger integration of renewable energies in the Moroccan context and in the African context later,” he said.
This forum will also address regional challenges, notably the supply of electricity to the 300 million Africans, who do not yet have access to electricity, he continued, expressing the Kingdom’s willingness to share its rich experience and its cumulative capabilities in this area for decades, thanks to the far-sighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
“MASEN is in a new phase of its cooperation with the World Bank, which will allow Morocco to host an infrastructure for testing and training in batteries,” he indicated.
In a similar statement, the representative of the ESP (World Bank), Tarek Keskes, noted the strong symbolism of this forum, which coincides with the 5th anniversary of the launch of this initiative, celebrating five years of collaboration, innovation and progress in the field of energy storage.
This initiative was launched in 2019 with 29 partners to reach 60 today, he said, emphasizing the impact of this partnership as an important instrument allowing at the level of the World Bank to support investment projects in energy storage.
The World Bank has mobilized around $960 million to date, as part of this partnership, for collaborative projects with climate funds in more than 30 countries, he continued, highlighting the role of Morocco through MASEN, within the framework of the ESP.
Additionally, the 11th ESP Partner Meeting will bring together partners on Wednesday to discuss their recent initiatives related to energy storage, followed by a series of roundtables as well as sessions focused on priority topics for the future of ESP.
The program of this event also includes site visits to Ouarzazate as well as to the Green Energy Park and the battery research facilities at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir.
Organized under the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the ESP is a global initiative involving national laboratories, research institutes, development agencies and philanthropies.
The ESP currently has nearly 60 partners working together to develop a knowledge base of energy storage and solutions tailored to the needs of developing countries.
This initiative aims to foster international technological cooperation and training to develop new energy storage solutions adapted to the needs and conditions of developing countries.
What are the key themes discussed at the World Bank and MASEN energy storage Forum?
Interview between Janelle Rivers, Editor of Time.news, and Hicham Bouzekri, Director of Research and Development at MASEN
Janelle Rivers: Thank you for joining us today, Hicham. The ongoing Forum organized by the World Bank and MASEN is an exciting event for the energy community. Can you share what the main goals of this meeting are?
Hicham Bouzekri: Thank you for having me, Janelle. The primary goal of this Forum is to share experiences and knowledge in the field of energy storage. As renewable energy sources become increasingly important, effective energy storage solutions are crucial for integrating these technologies into our power grids. We aim to present the latest trends, developments, and innovations in energy storage technologies while learning from our peers in the industry.
Janelle Rivers: It’s certainly a vital area of focus. I understand that this year’s Forum is paired with the 11th meeting of the Energy Storage Partnership (ESP). What does this collaboration bring to the table?
Hicham Bouzekri: The collaboration with the ESP provides a broader platform for discussion and collaboration among private companies, government entities, and experts in the energy storage field. This partnership emphasizes the importance of unity in tackling the challenges and opportunities that come with energy storage. Many countries are eager to learn from Morocco’s pioneering efforts, particularly our solar complex at Noor Ouarzazate.
Janelle Rivers: Speaking of Noor Ouarzazate, how is Morocco positioning itself as a leader in the energy storage sector?
Hicham Bouzekri: Morocco is indeed taking significant steps towards leading in energy storage. We are in the process of establishing a comprehensive testing platform for energy storage batteries. This initiative will enhance our ability to integrate renewable energy sources, not just within Morocco, but across the African context as well. It’s part of a broader strategy to address regional challenges like providing electricity to the 300 million Africans without access to reliable power.
Janelle Rivers: That’s impressive! Expanding access to electricity is a critical issue. Can you elaborate on how Morocco plans to share its experiences with other countries?
Hicham Bouzekri: Certainly. We have a wealth of experience and knowledge accumulated over decades, driven by the far-sighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. By establishing partnerships and sharing best practices, we aim to empower other countries, particularly in Africa, to tackle their energy challenges. We’re focused on building sustainable, resilient energy systems that can adapt to future demands.
Janelle Rivers: It sounds like there’s a lot of potential for collaboration. I’d also like to highlight the symbolic timing of this Forum, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the ESP initiative. How significant is this milestone for you and your team?
Hicham Bouzekri: The fifth anniversary is indeed significant. It represents a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and progress in energy storage. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we unite our efforts. It also reinforces our commitment to sustainable energy solutions and highlights the ongoing need for investment and research in this sector.
Janelle Rivers: With MASEN transitioning into a new phase of cooperation with the World Bank, what does the future hold for Morocco’s energy storage initiatives?
Hicham Bouzekri: Our new cooperation with the World Bank will allow us to establish infrastructure dedicated to testing and training in battery technologies. This will not only enhance our capabilities but also prepare us to lead in the transition towards renewable sources of energy. The focus will be on innovative solutions that are both accessible and scalable, ensuring that no one is left behind in the energy transition.
Janelle Rivers: It sounds like an exciting time for Morocco and the broader African continent. Thank you, Hicham, for sharing these insights with us today.
Hicham Bouzekri: Thank you, Janelle. It’s been a pleasure discussing these important developments. Together, we can work towards a sustainable energy future for all.