Morocco has taken a major step toward developing its green hydrogen sector, signing preliminary land reservation agreements with investor groups selected for large-scale renewable energy projects, the government announced.
The agreements, signed in Rabat, follow meetings between Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and representatives of national and international investors chosen under the country’s “Morocco Offer” program for green hydrogen. The deals cover the mobilization of public land in Morocco’s southern regions, under a contractual framework that regulates the use of sites allocated to integrated projects combining renewable power generation, electrolysis, and hydrogen processing.
The move comes nearly a year after the Moroccan government confirmed the selection of five corporate consortia to develop green hydrogen projects, with a combined planned investment of 319 billion dirhams (US$35 billion). The selected investors include both domestic and international players, such as Ortus, Acciona, Nordex, Taqa, Cepsa, and Moroccan group Nareva, with a focus on producing green ammonia and industrial fuels for domestic use and export.
According to official information on the “Morocco Offer,” each project may access up to 30,000 hectares of land, while the kingdom has identified nearly one million hectares for potential green hydrogen development. The initial tranche of 300,000 hectares is being gradually released to the approved investors to kickstart implementation.
Morocco aims to position itself as a regional energy hub, capable of producing green hydrogen and its derivatives, including ammonia, for export to Europe and other strategic markets. By leveraging abundant solar and wind resources in its southern regions, the country hopes to supply clean energy at competitive costs and contribute to global decarbonization efforts.
The green hydrogen initiative aligns with Morocco’s broader renewable energy strategy, which has already made the country a leader in solar power and wind energy in Africa. Analysts say that the development of hydrogen production and export capacity could generate significant economic benefits, including job creation, foreign investment, and technology transfer, while supporting Morocco’s climate commitments.
Prime Minister Akhannouch emphasized the strategic significance of the land agreements, noting that the deals signal the kingdom’s commitment to facilitating investment in the emerging hydrogen sector. “These projects are a concrete step toward consolidating Morocco’s position in the global energy transition and promoting sustainable development in our southern regions,” he said.
Under the agreements, investors are expected to meet environmental and technical standards, including the integration of renewable energy into the production process and sustainable land use practices. The projects are also expected to support local economic development, creating employment opportunities for communities in the southern provinces.
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Morocco’s push into green hydrogen reflects a growing global interest in the sector as countries seek to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and meet climate targets. Hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy is seen as a key solution for hard-to-decarbonize industries such as steelmaking, shipping, and heavy transport.
With these agreements, Morocco positions itself among the first countries in Africa to establish large-scale green hydrogen production, potentially supplying a growing European market seeking low-carbon energy imports. The projects are expected to advance over the coming years as infrastructure, financing, and technical capacities are developed.
The government said further land allocations and project approvals will continue under the Morocco Offer program, signaling a long-term commitment to the country’s green hydrogen ambitions and the broader energy transition agenda.
