Morocco’s electricity network development program has been recognized by the African Development Bank as a benchmark for grid modernization, rural electrification, and renewable energy integration, with outcomes now cited as a reference for other African countries, the bank said.
The €352.33 million initiative, known as Le Programme de Développement des Réseaux de Transport d’Électricité et d’Électrification Rurale (PDRTE-ER), is executed by Morocco’s national electricity and water authority, ONEE. Originally scheduled for completion between 2020 and 2024, the project was extended to June 2026 due to Covid-19-related disruptions and global supply chain constraints. Despite the delays, the program exceeded its original targets.
In rural electrification, the program connected 937 new villages to the national grid, surpassing the initial target of 720 by 30%. It also extended electricity access to 19,980 additional households, well above the planned 16,250. The expansion involved deploying 1,261 kilometers of medium-voltage lines, 3,898 kilometers of low-voltage lines, and constructing 719 medium-to-low voltage transformation stations. Morocco’s rural electrification rate now stands at 99.91%, approaching universal coverage, which the AfDB described as a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation in rural areas.
On the transmission front, the program increased Morocco’s peak capacity to 7,580 MW and integrated 45.5% renewable energy into the national grid. These improvements enhance the evacuation of solar and wind power from generation sites to consumption centers and strengthen grid reliability. The overall program engagement rate reached 93.6%, with implementation classified as satisfactory by the AfDB.
“The Moroccan experience demonstrates how targeted investment in electricity transmission and rural access can accelerate structural transformation,” the AfDB report stated, highlighting Morocco’s success as a replicable model for other African nations.
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The program aligns with Morocco’s broader energy transition strategy, which emphasizes renewable energy integration, grid modernization, and expanding electricity access to underserved areas. It is also consistent with continental efforts to achieve sustainable and inclusive electrification as part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals.
AfDB officials said the PDRTE-ER project illustrates the benefits of combining infrastructure investment with strategic planning to improve energy reliability, promote renewable energy, and foster economic development in rural regions.
The bank highlighted that the Moroccan model offers lessons for other African countries aiming to expand electricity access while incorporating significant renewable energy capacity. By demonstrating measurable results in both household electrification and transmission system upgrades, Morocco provides a blueprint for addressing energy poverty and supporting broader socioeconomic development on the continent.
The program’s achievements in rural connectivity, renewable integration, and peak capacity expansion reflect Morocco’s ongoing commitment to a resilient and modern electricity sector, the AfDB said, urging African governments to draw on these lessons for future infrastructure and energy initiatives.
Morocco’s success underscores the role of coordinated investment, technical planning, and policy support in achieving ambitious electrification goals, which are increasingly critical for sustainable development across Africa.
