Casablanca – Morocco is moving ahead with an expanded national energy storage strategy aimed at reinforcing energy security, improving electricity system stability, and supporting its long-term transition toward cleaner energy sources. Recent government announcements and sector plans show a coordinated approach that combines large-scale fuel storage expansion with major investments in electricity storage infrastructure.

The strategy comes as Morocco continues to reduce its vulnerability to external energy shocks. The country imports around 90% of its energy needs, leaving it exposed to global price volatility and supply disruptions. Energy import costs remain significant, reaching about $11.75 billion in 2024, compared with $12.6 billion in 2023.

Expanding strategic fuel storage capacity

On the hydrocarbons side, the government is implementing a major program to expand national strategic storage capacity to more than four million cubic meters by 2030. According to the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, storage capacity reached about 3.2 million cubic meters in 2025, after increasing by more than 30% over the past three years.

The planned expansion will add more than 1.5 million cubic meters of additional capacity by 2030, supported by an investment of about $619 million, with roughly one-third expected to be deployed in 2026.

The policy is structured around three main pillars. The first focuses on expanding and modernizing storage infrastructure through new investments and faster administrative procedures to accelerate project delivery.

The second pillar involves optimizing existing infrastructure, including the potential reuse of storage facilities linked to the former Samir refinery in Mohammedia, which stopped operating in 2015. National assessments indicate that current storage levels are sufficient for diesel, gasoline, and fuel oil, but gaps remain in butane gas and aviation fuel.

To address these shortages, Morocco plans to expand storage capacity by 400,000 cubic meters for butane gas and 100,000 cubic meters for aviation fuel by 2030. These fuels are considered strategically important, as butane is widely used in households, while aviation fuel is increasingly critical for transport and tourism growth.

The third pillar concerns territorial redistribution of storage infrastructure. Around 80% of current storage capacity is concentrated in the Casablanca-Settat and Tangier-Tetouan regions. To correct this imbalance, the government is promoting new investment zones, particularly through the port of Nador West Med, which is expected to become a major hub for hydrocarbons and natural gas storage in eastern Morocco.

Scaling electricity storage for renewable integration

Alongside fuel storage expansion, Morocco is also investing heavily in electricity storage to support the rapid growth of renewable energy. Installed renewable capacity has reached 5,730 MW, representing around 47% of the national electricity mix, with a target of exceeding 52% by 2030.

To manage the intermittency of solar and wind power, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is implementing a large-scale program combining storage, flexible generation, and transmission upgrades. A central component is the development of more than 3,500 MW of electricity storage capacity by 2030.

This includes pumped-storage hydropower plants, thermal storage systems, and large-scale battery installations. Existing pumped-storage facilities provide 814 MW, while new projects will add around 700 MW. Battery energy storage systems are expected to contribute about 1,550 MW, forming a diversified storage portfolio designed to stabilize the national grid.

In parallel, Morocco plans to develop 4,500 MW of flexible gas-fired generation to support peak demand periods and compensate for fluctuations in renewable output. The system will also be reinforced by more than 6,000 km of new high-voltage transmission lines, improving electricity transport between production zones—particularly in the south—and consumption centers across the country.

Total investments in the electricity system are estimated at more than $18.6 billion by 2030.

Strategic objectives and long-term outlook

Authorities describe energy storage as a key pillar of Morocco’s energy transition strategy. The combined development of fuel storage and electricity storage is intended to improve resilience against external shocks, enhance system reliability, and support the integration of renewable energy at scale.

The strategy is also aligned with Morocco’s broader decarbonization objectives, including the expansion of renewable energy, development of green hydrogen, and improvement of energy efficiency across industrial, residential, and transport sectors. The country aims to increase the share of renewables to more than 52% of installed electricity capacity by 2030, with some projections suggesting up to 70% of electricity generation by 2040 if storage and grid investments progress as planned.

Despite this momentum, challenges remain, particularly the high cost of infrastructure, the complexity of developing secure storage facilities, and environmental requirements. However, policymakers expect that declining technology costs—especially in battery storage—combined with increased private investment will improve project viability over time.

The government is preparing new tenders for storage projects in the coming months, alongside regulatory reforms aimed at encouraging investment. Implementation is expected to be phased through 2026–2030, with some storage units scheduled to enter operation as early as 2026.

Morocco’s dual-track storage strategy reflects a coordinated effort to build a more resilient, flexible, and low-carbon energy system capable of supporting long-term economic growth and energy sovereignty.