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Morocco has announced an ambitious plan to completely phase out coal-fired electricity generation by 2040—conditional on securing adequate international climate financing, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA).
The North African nation, which officially joined the PPCA in 2023, is now among roughly 60 member governments dedicated to eliminating coal as part of the global transition to cleaner energy sources. Morocco’s decision aligns with its ongoing strategy to expand investments in both renewable energy and natural gas infrastructure, Reuters reported.
Even if international financial support does not materialize as planned, the PPCA emphasized that Morocco would still aim to end coal power generation sometime during the 2040s, reflecting its firm long-term commitment to decarbonization.
Currently, coal remains Morocco’s dominant energy source, accounting for over 60% of national electricity production in 2023. However, the country’s renewable energy ambitions are rapidly advancing: it aims to increase the share of renewables to 52% of installed power capacity by 2030, up from around 45% today.
“Morocco has stopped planning for any new coal power plants,” the nation’s energy minister said in the PPCA’s statement, signaling a major policy shift toward clean energy.
According to Rachid Ennassiri, head of the Moroccan climate think tank Imal, this pledge underscores Morocco’s determination to retire existing coal plants earlier than scheduled, pursue reforms in energy contracts, and ensure a “just transition” for workers and communities—provided that global climate finance is accessible and equitable.
In its updated national climate strategy, Morocco has strengthened its emission-reduction goals, now targeting a 53% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to a business-as-usual trajectory—up from a previous 45.5% reduction target set for 2030.
The country’s broader clean energy vision extends beyond electricity generation. In September, Morocco unveiled plans for Africa’s first large-scale battery manufacturing facility—a USD 5.6 billion project led by China’s Gotion High-Tech. The gigafactory, which will produce electric vehicle batteries as well as cathode and anode materials for energy storage systems, is designed primarily to supply European markets.
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The project’s first phase is expected to generate roughly 2,300 jobs, with the complete five-phase buildout projected to employ up to 10,000 people. This development cements Morocco’s growing role as a key hub in the global shift toward low-carbon industries and sustainable energy technologies.
