Speaking at a conference entitled "Transition to renewable energies... the future of green hydrogen", held as part of the 36th edition of the "Crans Montana" Forum, Benkhadra pointed out that "Morocco, with its dynamism in the field of sustainable development, and its qualitative potential in the terms of renewable energies, its proximity to European markets, its trade relations with the United States, and the vision underlying the Atlantic Initiative launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is ideally placed to seize the opportunities available and establish mutually beneficial partnerships and build win-win partnerships".
After highlighting Morocco's many assets, notably its strategic geographical position at the crossroads of Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and America, Benkhadra emphasized that "South-South cooperation is progressing with many African countries (...), as Morocco has developed its ties with the continent's countries in several sectors (energy, agriculture, banking...), and is also contributing to numerous regional integration projects".
Referring to Morocco's energy strategy, ONHYM's Managing Director explained that this strategy, adopted in 2009, aims to achieve a diversified energy mix that is ideal for power generation in particular, based on clean, reliable and competitive technological options.
According to her, this strategy is also meant to develop on a large scale the country's enormous resources in the field of renewable energies, notably solar and wind power, by improving energy efficiency and mobilizing national fossil resources through intensified oil exploration, while stimulating integration within African and Euro-Mediterranean energy systems to enhance energy security, technological exchange, and the early adoption of environmental protection measures in all energy activities.
The strategy also aims to develop the country's abundant renewable energy resources, particularly solar and wind power, to boost energy efficiency and utilize domestic fossil resources through oil exploration, while encouraging integration within African and Euro-Mediterranean energy systems to enhance energy security, technological exchange, and the early adoption of environmental protection measures in all energy activities.
In the same context, Benkhadra stressed that Morocco has adopted a green hydrogen offer with a stable and attractive regulatory framework, real estate assets, and distinct access to renewable energy sources, in particular.
With regard to the African Atlantic gas pipeline that will link Nigeria and Morocco, she said that this pioneering and visionary project is the outcome of the joint commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, a project that was later reaffirmed by president Bola Tinubu.