After solar and wind power, Rabat wants to add atoms to its electricity mix to ensure its energy sovereignty.
In the coming years, Morocco should be one of the countries producing nuclear energy. In any case, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, declared this to the Reuters agency on November 28. “A dozen countries should start producing electricity from nuclear sources in the coming years,” he further said, citing, in addition to Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, and even Uzbekistan.
Priority to small modular reactors
“PRMs are particularly promising for various applications, such as cogeneration and desalination of seawater,” detailed the minister, who also announced that the National Center for Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology ( Cnesten) had won the title of “International Center designated by the IAEA based on research reactors”, a step forward allowing it to now “serve as a learning platform at the global level”.
In December 2022, the IAEA also concluded “ practical arrangements” with the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) with the aim of “encouraging collaboration in terms of theoretical and practical training and research and development on peaceful uses of nuclear technology,” says the agency’s latest annual report.
Agreement with Russia
Among the countries likely to help the kingdom acquire nuclear energy is Russia. In October 2022, Moscow approved a cooperation agreement on civil nuclear power in Morocco. Development of uranium deposits, construction of nuclear reactors, improvement of infrastructure, development of desalination stations, staff training… The text signed between the two countries covers no less than fourteen areas.
“The Russian side has completed the study phase before signing an intergovernmental agreement with Rabat. It is the turn of our Moroccan partners to do the same, after which this document can be signed. When this is done and the agreement comes into force, our two countries will develop their cooperation in this area by the needs and priorities of their national nuclear programs,” Alexandre Kinchtchak, director of the Near East department, told Jeune Afrique in December 2022. East and North Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
In 2022, the kingdom’s installed electrical capacity stood at 11,055 megawatts, with 21.5% coming from wind (1,553 MW) and solar (831 MW) combined, while hydropower plants produced 1,306 MW (11.8 %).
