Oil & Gas

European countries are actively seeking agreements and memoranda of understanding to import hydrogen from Morocco as part of their green energy plans. According to data from the Washington-based Specialized Energy Platform, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, signed an action plan with Dutch Minister Rob Jetten. This plan, which spans 2024-2025, was signed during the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 in the Netherlands and aims to foster bilateral cooperation, focusing on government partnerships, knowledge exchange, and corporate collaboration to support the global energy transition and hydrogen supply chain.

Dutch Minister Rob Jetten announced on social media that he signed an action plan with the Moroccan energy minister to enhance cooperation in energy and hydrogen projects, paving the way for exports to the Netherlands. Energy Minister Leila Benali led a Moroccan delegation to the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 in Rotterdam, held from May 13 to 15. This event, organized by the Sustainable Energy Council with the Dutch government, gathered global energy leaders to promote green hydrogen and accelerate the global energy transition.

At the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF) during the summit, Benali showcased Morocco's achievements in renewable energy, successful investments in energy infrastructure, and strategic position as a corridor between Europe and Africa.

She emphasized the importance of a robust regulatory framework and long-term international partnerships to stimulate green hydrogen trade. Benali's participation in a panel discussion at the International Climate Change Forum included discussions with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Austrian Federal Minister Leonor Geussler, and other international leaders, where she reviewed Morocco's green hydrogen initiatives and projects.

In the "Spotlight on the Country: Morocco" session at the African Hydrogen Forum, Benali, alongside Tarek Hammane from the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, reiterated Morocco's commitment to the energy transition. She highlighted Morocco's progress in green hydrogen projects and encouraged Africa and Europe to take steps to develop competitive green hydrogen. Benali also outlined Morocco's vision for future infrastructure projects, including gas and hydrogen pipelines, strategic ports, and carbon removal from key sectors, calling for joint international cooperation.

On the sidelines of the summit, Benali held discussions with energy leaders from the UAE and Austria to enhance bilateral cooperation in low-carbon energy and green hydrogen. She also met with Dutch Minister Rob Jetten and German representative Christian Maas to explore trilateral cooperation in renewable energy and green hydrogen, focusing on industries such as fertilizer, shipping, and steel. The World Hydrogen Summit attracted over 2,000 high-level participants and 15,000 industry professionals, setting the global agenda for hydrogen energy deployment.