Casablanca – Morocco’s electricity demand reached a record peak of 8,400 megawatts (MW) in July 2026, reflecting the combined effects of high summer temperatures, expanding economic activity and rising consumption by households and businesses. The new peak exceeded the previous record of 7,990 MW registered in 2025 by 410 MW, highlighting the growing challenge of ensuring a reliable electricity supply as the country’s energy requirements continue to increase.

The record comes amid a broader rise in electricity consumption. Morocco used approximately 49 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2025, representing an increase of 7.4% compared with the previous year. This growth points to a sustained expansion in demand across residential, commercial and industrial sectors, placing greater emphasis on investment in power generation, transmission, distribution and storage.

The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) presented the latest figures during its ninth board meeting. The data underline the importance of strengthening the national electricity system to accommodate higher consumption, particularly during periods when temperatures and cooling requirements push demand to its highest levels.

Summer heat adds to rising electricity consumption

Seasonal weather conditions have become an important factor in Morocco’s electricity demand. During periods of intense heat, households, offices, shops and industrial facilities increase their use of air conditioning and other cooling equipment. These devices can substantially increase electricity consumption, particularly when high temperatures persist across several regions.

The effect is especially pronounced during peak-demand periods, when large numbers of consumers require electricity simultaneously. While annual consumption measures the total electricity used over a year, peak demand reflects the maximum power needed at a particular moment. The latter is an important indicator of whether a country has sufficient generation capacity and a strong enough grid to meet its immediate requirements.

Morocco’s record of 8,400 MW therefore represents more than an increase in annual consumption. It highlights the need to maintain adequate operating reserves and ensure that power stations, transmission lines and distribution networks can withstand periods of exceptionally high demand.

The previous peak of 7,990 MW, recorded in 2025, was surpassed by approximately 5.1% in July 2026. This increase illustrates how quickly the system’s maximum power requirements can rise within a relatively short period.

The expansion of urban areas and the development of economic activities are also contributing to higher electricity use. As cities grow, demand increases from residential buildings, commercial premises, public services and transport-related infrastructure. Industrial development adds further requirements, particularly in activities that depend on continuous electricity supplies and energy-intensive production processes.

These structural factors mean that electricity demand cannot be addressed solely through measures designed to manage summer peaks. Morocco also needs to plan for sustained growth in consumption over the coming years.

Investment program targets the electricity network

To respond to these needs, ONEE is pursuing an investment program covering the 2026–2030 period. The program aims to improve the performance and resilience of the national electricity system through additional power generation projects, expanded transmission infrastructure and stronger electricity storage capacity.

Developing new generation facilities is essential to ensure that available supply can keep pace with demand. However, adding generating capacity alone does not guarantee that electricity can be delivered efficiently to consumers. Transmission lines must be capable of carrying power from production sites to major consumption centers, while distribution networks must accommodate growing demand in cities, industrial zones and rural areas.

Strengthening these networks can also reduce the risk of congestion and improve the system’s ability to respond when consumption rises sharply. Infrastructure planning must take account of both expected long-term demand and short periods of unusually high consumption.

The challenge is particularly relevant as Morocco continues to develop its industrial base and attract investment in sectors that require reliable energy supplies. Manufacturing facilities, logistics operations and other economic activities depend on stable electricity access to maintain production schedules and control operating costs.

Reliable power supplies are also important for households and public services. Interruptions or constraints during peak periods can affect daily activities and business operations, making the resilience of the electricity system an economic as well as an infrastructure concern.

The 2026–2030 investment program is intended to improve the system’s ability to meet these requirements. Its effectiveness will depend on the implementation of planned projects, the coordination of generation and network investments, and the ability to anticipate changes in consumption patterns.

Energy storage gains importance as renewable capacity expands

Energy storage is becoming an increasingly important component of Morocco’s electricity planning. The country is seeking to expand renewable energy production while maintaining a stable supply, a combination that requires greater flexibility in the way electricity is generated, transmitted and consumed.

Solar and wind power can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but their output varies according to weather conditions and the time of day. Solar generation, for example, is concentrated during daylight hours, while electricity demand can remain high into the evening. Wind generation can also fluctuate, creating periods when output does not match consumption.

Storage systems can help address these differences by retaining electricity when supply exceeds immediate demand and releasing it when additional power is required. Depending on the technology and scale, storage can support grid stability, help manage peak demand and improve the integration of renewable energy into the national system.

Morocco has identified renewable energy as a major component of its longer-term energy strategy, with an objective of reaching 15 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030. Achieving this target while accommodating rising consumption will require investments not only in solar and wind installations but also in transmission infrastructure, storage and the technologies used to manage electricity flows.

The record demand recorded in July illustrates why these elements need to develop together. Increasing renewable generation can help diversify electricity supply, but the system must also be able to deliver power when consumers need it, including during periods of intense heat.

Storage and grid modernization can therefore contribute to both energy security and the transition toward a lower-carbon electricity mix. Their deployment, however, requires careful planning and financing, as well as coordination with new generation projects and existing network infrastructure.

Balancing energy security with economic growth

Morocco faces the task of meeting rising domestic electricity requirements while continuing to develop its energy sector and strengthen its economic competitiveness. Reliable electricity is essential for industrial expansion, the growth of services and the operation of infrastructure, making the availability of sufficient power an important consideration for future investment.

The increase in annual consumption to approximately 49 TWh in 2025, followed by a new peak of 8,400 MW in July 2026, demonstrates the scale of the challenge. Demand is influenced by both long-term economic development and temporary factors, including heatwaves that can sharply increase electricity use over a short period.

Planning must therefore account for different demand scenarios. Infrastructure designed around average consumption alone may be insufficient when large numbers of consumers simultaneously increase their use of cooling equipment. Conversely, maintaining adequate capacity for rare peak periods requires investment that must be assessed against costs, expected demand growth and the reliability benefits it provides.

Improving energy efficiency can complement investment in new infrastructure. More efficient cooling systems, better building insulation and improved energy management in commercial and industrial facilities can help limit unnecessary consumption, particularly during the hottest hours of the day. These measures can reduce pressure on the electricity network without requiring consumers to abandon essential energy uses.

Greater awareness of consumption patterns could also help businesses and households manage electricity use more effectively. Where suitable mechanisms are available, shifting certain activities away from peak-demand periods may contribute to a more balanced load on the system.

At the same time, continued investment in transmission and distribution networks remains necessary to accommodate new production facilities and connect additional renewable energy capacity. Coordinating these projects can help reduce bottlenecks and ensure that the benefits of new generation are reflected in the electricity available to consumers.

A longer-term test for Morocco’s power system

The record reached in July 2026 highlights the need for Morocco to prepare its electricity system for both rising consumption and more demanding operating conditions. High temperatures are likely to remain an important factor in seasonal electricity requirements, while urbanization, industrial development and the expansion of economic activity will continue to influence longer-term demand.

The increase from 7,990 MW in 2025 to 8,400 MW in 2026 provides a clear indication of the additional capacity the system has had to accommodate in a single year. Meanwhile, the 7.4% rise in annual electricity consumption recorded in 2025 points to broader pressure that extends beyond the summer months.

ONEE’s investment program for 2026–2030 is intended to address these requirements through generation projects, network expansion and energy storage. Progress in these areas will be important to maintaining supply reliability as the country increases its use of renewable energy and develops new economic activities.

The challenge will be to ensure that investment keeps pace with demand while improving the efficiency and flexibility of the electricity system. For Morocco, securing sufficient power during peak periods is becoming an increasingly important part of supporting economic growth, protecting households and businesses from supply constraints, and advancing the country’s energy transition.