In a strategic move aimed at strengthening Arab economic integration and supporting efforts to transition towards a more sustainable future, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Minister of Energy, held an important meeting in Riyadh with Dr. Leila Benali, the Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. The meeting focused on exploring ways to develop bilateral relations in the vital energy sector and discussing promising investment opportunities that serve the interests of both brotherly nations.
Details of the executive program for energy cooperation
The meeting culminated in the signing of a joint executive program for cooperation in the field of renewable energy, which activates the memorandum of understanding signed between the two governments in May 2022. This ambitious program aims to establish a clear roadmap to enable national companies in both countries to implement joint projects, not only within Saudi Arabia and Morocco, but also to expand into other international markets. The agreement focuses specifically on vital areas including the development of energy storage systems, connecting renewable energy plants to national grids, and enhancing the efficiency of electricity transmission lines.
Context of national visions and energy transformation
This agreement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic transformation in the energy sector as part of its Vision 2030 and Green Saudi Arabia initiative, as the Kingdom seeks to raise the share of renewable energy in its electricity production mix to 50% by 2030. The cooperation with Morocco reflects Riyadh’s commitment to diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels for domestic consumption, while benefiting from shared expertise in this field.
For its part, the Kingdom of Morocco has made great strides in the field of clean energy, having developed an ambitious national strategy aimed at securing more than half of its electricity needs through renewable sources by 2030. Morocco is considered a leading regional model in harnessing wind and solar energy, making the partnership with Saudi Arabia an opportunity to exchange technical knowledge and strengthen the energy infrastructure in North Africa.
Economic and developmental dimensions
The signed program is not limited to technical aspects alone, but extends to encompass broad developmental and economic dimensions. The agreement stipulates the use of renewable energy sources in infrastructure projects and major development initiatives. Both sides also gave special attention to the research and development sector, agreeing to establish and develop specialized centers for modern technologies and focusing on human capacity building and training, which is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the sustainability of these projects and the transfer of knowledge and localization of technology in both countries.
