Casablanca – In a significant move towards bolstering renewable energy and green hydrogen efforts, a high-level Moroccan delegation, led by Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, attended the 2024 Global Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from May 13 to 15, 2024. This event underscored the deepening energy partnership between Morocco and the Netherlands, with both countries committing to a collaborative future in sustainable energy.

Signing of a Landmark Action Plan

A key highlight of the Summit was the signing of an action plan dedicated to renewable energy and green hydrogen for the period 2024-2025 by Minister Benali and Rob Jetten, Dutch Minister of Climate and Energy Policy and Deputy Prime Minister. This plan establishes a comprehensive roadmap for bilateral cooperation, focusing on strengthening governmental partnerships, sharing strategic and legislative knowledge, and promoting corporate collaborations to foster the energy transition and develop an international hydrogen supply chain.

Strategic Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing

The action plan emphasizes a structured and collaborative approach stemming from the implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed on June 21, 2023. The plan aims to harness the geostrategic advantages of Morocco as a corridor between Europe and Africa, leveraging its robust regulatory framework and long-term international partnerships to drive commercial development in the green hydrogen sector.

High-Level Participation and Discussions

Minister Benali’s participation in the second high-level roundtable of the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) showcased Morocco’s achievements in the renewable energy sector. She highlighted successful investments in energy infrastructure and Morocco’s unique position in the global energy landscape. During the IHTF panel, alongside international counterparts such as Rob Jetten, Leonore Gewessler of Austria, Yoshinori Kanehana of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and David Burns of Linde, Benali emphasized Morocco’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition and the development of green hydrogen.

Focus on Green Hydrogen and Infrastructure Development

Benali reviewed Morocco’s various initiatives and projects aimed at developing the hydrogen sector, which led to Morocco joining the International Hydrogen Trade Forum. This includes the development of green hydrogen projects and their derivatives by 2030, providing investors with a clear vision of Morocco’s future infrastructure projects, such as future gas and hydrogen pipelines, strategic ports, and ways to expand, connect, and decarbonize key sectors.

Bilateral and Trilateral Cooperation Efforts

On the sidelines of the Summit, Benali engaged in discussions with several international counterparts, including Sherif Al Olama of the UAE and Leonore Gewessler of Austria, to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation in low-carbon energy and green hydrogen. A trilateral meeting with Dutch Minister Jetten and Christian Maas, Director General representing Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, focused on developing a trilateral cooperation framework in renewable energy and green hydrogen, particularly in the fertilizer, maritime transport, and steel industries.

Morocco’s Distinguished Presence

Morocco’s participation at the Summit was prominently featured through the Morocco Pavilion, which included key players such as the Green H2 Morocco Cluster, the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), INNOV’X, TMSA, the National Ports Agency (ANP), and the Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN). This showcase highlighted Morocco’s commitment and progress in the green hydrogen sector.

Global Impact and Future Prospects

The Global Hydrogen Summit brought together over 2,000 high-level participants, including government representatives and private sector actors, who shared updates on their projects and discussed ways to expand the deployment of hydrogen as a future energy source worldwide. Over 15,000 industry professionals met with more than 500 exhibiting companies, setting the global agenda for hydrogen deployment.

The strengthened partnership between Morocco and the Netherlands marks a significant step towards a sustainable energy future, with both nations committed to advancing green hydrogen technologies and fostering international cooperation to accelerate the global energy transition.