Casablanca – The World Power-to-X Summit is set to take place in Marrakech on October 8 and 9, 2024. This prestigious event  will be hosted by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of Morocco. Key organizers include the Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), the Green H2 Cluster, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), and the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN). Held at the Marrakech Congress Palace, the summit aims to advance discussions and collaborations around green hydrogen and related technologies.

This summit is crucial for showcasing Morocco’s progress in green hydrogen projects and exploring the potential for significant financing and investment in the sector. Aligned with the country’s Green Hydrogen Offer, unveiled in March 2024, this event highlights Morocco’s growing role in the global energy transition and positions it as a key player in the emerging green hydrogen industry.

Strategic importance

Morocco’s Green Hydrogen Offer is a central theme of this year’s summit. The initiative is a reflection of the country’s commitment to rapid decarbonization and sustainable energy development. By capitalizing on its natural resources, technological advancements, and political stability, Morocco seeks to establish itself as a global hub for competitive green hydrogen production and its derivatives.

This vision is closely linked to Morocco’s broader strategy of becoming a leader in renewable energy. The country’s commitment to green hydrogen aligns with its goal of transitioning to a decarbonized economy, driven by clean and sustainable energy sources. Morocco’s efforts have been recognized internationally, with the European Union highlighting the country as a future key exporter of green hydrogen to Europe.

Partnership with the European Union

The summit takes place against the backdrop of strengthened ties between Morocco and the European Union (EU) in the field of green hydrogen. The EU recently held its first green hydrogen workshop in Rabat, in collaboration with Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition. This initiative is part of the Morocco-EU Green Partnership, signed in October 2022, which aims to align regulatory frameworks to accelerate the transition to a resilient and inclusive economy. The collaboration highlights Morocco’s progress in green hydrogen development and reinforces its role as a future strategic partner for Europe.

The summit will be an opportunity to deepen these discussions and explore new avenues for collaboration between Morocco and the EU, particularly in areas such as regulatory harmonization, innovation, and large-scale hydrogen production.

Key objectives and focus areas

The World Power-to-X Summit will focus on several key objectives:

1. Showcasing Innovation and Progress: The summit will provide a platform to highlight Morocco’s progress in green hydrogen projects, from pilot initiatives to large-scale industrial developments. This includes showcasing the country’s regulatory framework and its efforts to create a competitive ecosystem for green hydrogen production.

2. Exploring financing opportunities: A major focus of the event will be the exploration of financing opportunities for green hydrogen projects. The summit will bring together international investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss potential collaborations and investment strategies that can accelerate the development of the green hydrogen sector in Morocco.

3. Cross-border synergies: The summit aims to foster cross-border collaboration, particularly with neighboring countries and adjacent regions. By creating synergies between different countries, Morocco hopes to strengthen its position as a regional leader in green hydrogen and drive broader adoption of sustainable energy technologies.

4. Scaling up from pilot projects to large-scale production: The event will address best practices for moving from proof-of-concept projects to large-scale production of green hydrogen. This will involve discussions on the necessary infrastructure, technological innovations, and regulatory support needed to achieve this goal.

International participation

The World Power-to-X Summit is expected to attract a diverse group of participants from around the world. Over 170 renowned speakers, including experts, researchers, and visionaries, will share their insights and innovations in green hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies. With more than 1,000 participants anticipated, the event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators from over 35 countries.

The summit will feature more than 25 sessions, each designed to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the Power-to-X sector. These sessions will cover a wide range of topics, from regulatory frameworks and technological innovations to investment strategies and cross-border collaborations.

The World Power-to-X Summit 2024 in Marrakech is a pivotal event that underscores Morocco’s leadership in the global energy transition. By showcasing its ambitious Green Hydrogen Offer and fostering international collaboration, Morocco is positioning itself as a key player in the emerging green hydrogen industry. The summit will not only highlight Morocco’s achievements but also provide a platform for exploring new opportunities and partnerships that can drive the development of sustainable energy technologies on a global scale.

This event represents a significant milestone in Morocco’s journey towards becoming a world leader in renewable energy and a key exporter of green hydrogen, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient global economy.