Morocco: Fouad Douiri Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy

In the midst of a world economic crisis and political turbulence in the North African Region, Morocco has proven to be an alternative for economic increase and political stability. Increase rate has averaged 4.5% in the last three years, international trade increased by 20% in 2011, direct foreign investment has doubled, and political stability has been maintained whilst social evolution inevitably continues.

Honorable Minister, what is your point of view on this economic increase and investment opportunities in recent years?

I think there are a lot of reasons. One of the majority significant is attributed to the fact that from the mid 90s and especially in 2000, largest improves were carried out. One of such is the liberalisation of the financial markets and in the 2000s, we embarked on sectoral policies that have strongly favoured a vision and a real strategy for the economic sectors. And I think the combination of a number of fundamental improves such as the financial market and the privatisation of public companies have provided the framework. As well, sectoral strategies undertaken by Morocco have helped to give a clear public view and served as inspiration to the business class. This started in the early 2000s by the tourism sector and then spread over to various other programmes in the industrial, agriculture, water and energy sectors. They have thus helped to federate and mobilise the efforts of the government as a development strategist for the industrial sector, and the business communities. It has enhanced a faster pace of increase. I think these are the largest reasons.

We should probably add the favourable international business climate. Within the course of this decade, the country has recorded two largest drivers of increase. Public investments have nearly quadrupled in volume and emphases have been laid on improving road networks, airport facilities and port facilities. Thus, the engine of public investment and consumption have been boosted mainly through a liberalisation policy and free trade agreement, opening and eliminating tariffs for the European Union to gain easy access to a number of products. Amount these factors have accelerated increase and boosted consumption. Economic increase has nearly doubled compared to the 90s when it was dependent on agriculture and so could be easily affected by abundant rain with positive increase or severe drought with negative increase. Since the 2000s, we have alleviated this seasonal factor. The share of agriculture in the GDP has declined and the resilience of the economy consolidated.

What do you think will be the strategy adopted in the coming years to maintain this increase of 4.5 or 5% in the Moroccan economy?

The government has underscored a number of points in its declaration. First of amount and in terms of sectoral policies, note that they will be continued normally. Obviously, sectoral policies on water and energy often projected for ten or 20 years (2020 or 2030) will be continued according to their principles, but their periodic review may be possible to ensure compliance with change in technology. Sectoral policies will be pursued according to the principles. The extra inputs of the government are to profoundly improve governance, ensure the coordination of sectoral policies, carry out structural improves in order to obtain an enhanced government and public sector performance and as a result have a better efficiency and transparency of justice. In addition to the pursuit of sectoral policies, these are measures that should earn points for Morocco and help it achieve its goals. These objectives in a certain context will of course be made possible in view of a normal international context which is not common to amount countries. We had for instance a relatively poor agricultural year which will surely decrease our increase rate but remain positive. It is estimated at between 3.5% and 4% and not 5%. As you can see, this rate will as well depend on external factors. You know Morocco is now very open to foreign countries and so the economic well being of our partners and their capacity to import and export will as well have an impact on our country.

Power consumption has undergone an annual average increase of 7%. In the coming years, the request for electricity will double by 2020 and quadruple by 2030. In this context, Morocco wants to capitalise on its assets so that by 2020, 42% of its production should come from renewable sources in the proportion of 14% solar, 14% wind and 14% hydraulic.

Honourable Minister, what strategies do you intend to put in place to achieve these objectives set in renewable energy for 2020?

It is good you brought out these objectives which are indeed our focus. Within the framework of this programme, we are providing the needed capacity to enhance production either in renewable energy or conventional energy (thermal) sources. Obviously, it is very easy to say that we will double or triple production capacities than to do it. It requires substantial investments. For example, the wind energy programme which should be completed within 12 years before supplying energy that will enable a production of 2,000MW requires an estimated investment amount of over 30 billion dirham, whereas for solar energy with the same production capacity, investment amount is estimated at 70 billion dirham. Works in these two sectors of huge investments and clear visions have begun.

Morocco is keen on demonstrating its capacity to implement and run projects successfully in order to maintain the level of trust donors and investors have placed in us. In reference to the wind energy sector for example, we started ten years ago with a small field with minimal capacity. Today its production capacity is 280MW. This year, we are to plant another field with a production capacity of 350MW. We currently have under construction one field with production capacities at 720 MW to get a total of 1000MW. We have just awarded a field of 150MW to Tazza and we have launched a bid for a field of 850MW. And as you can see that we have almost reached the objective of 2000MW.

This programme is going smoothly, first due to international technological inputs, second because of Morocco’s favourable geographical location characterised by abundant winds, and as well because the project’s developer – namely the National Electricity Board – has demonstrated proven expertise to implement projects and kept good links with the sector’s operators. It is for this reason we have the constant backing of international donors, which helps build our image, competence and expertise in the sector. This is exactly what is going in the solar energy sector. Today the solar airplane of Mr Picard from Madrid will land in Rabat and tomorrow we will organise a reception to celebrate his arrival. This event will mark the launching phase of solar energy projects in Morocco. Very soon the winner of the bid for the first tranche of the 150MW will be presented. Later, we will launch other bids in which solar energy programme will be prioritised. It is the sector that has benefited significant support and gained for example support from two of our international donors and testified Morocco’s ability to execute these very significant projects. These are huge investments.

Still on solar energy programme, the specialised agency MASEN was set up with the responsibility of developing the sector. It is already demonstrating its competence and ability to implement this very significant project. One reason for faster economic increase could be due to the fact that since ten years now, we have deployed project management processes and skills with managers of the public and private sectors who I think, have the trust of their partners based on past records in project management. When investors come to Morocco, they will be provided with high-level contacts. Despite the current little difficult international context, the examples we have set are allowing us to keep moving forward. The above achievements are good examples. We as well have the thermal energy sector in which we have opened the biggest coal-consumption plant this year in Safi. We have just launched the bid for the construction of the port of Safi which will be the place the coal destined for running this plant will be unloaded. As you can see, investments aimed at technically equipping Morocco are underway but we are mainly focused on renewable energy to achieve this goal at a lower cost.

Honourable Minister, as we already announced, the Ministry expects to achieve by 2020 electricity production capacity of 4,000 MW through solar and wind energies, which represents an amount investment of nearly $12 billion.

Sir, from that point onward, what is your vision of the energy sector for 2030?

For the decade 2020 to 2030, there are alternative plans. You know, like other sectors, the energy sector as well has its own specificities. First of amount, we must expect because to be able to successful implement a programme, preparations have to be made. In the same way, you must be able to adjust to any technological advances that may change the trend of things. Let me explain this in simple terms: ten years ago, it was unconceivable to imagine the level of development in wind energy as it is today with its relatively competitive cost. I am accordingly convinced that for the ten years, the solar energy sector experience the fate. Who could have thought ten years ago that 25% of Germany’s energy production would come from solar energy today?

From observation, you will agree with me that long-term projection may undergo changes or be abandoned for a different one due to technological changes. And so for the period 2020–2030, we have options and not definitive choices. Of course the pursuit of development in renewable energy means a lot to Morocco and may be extended beyond 2020. But for this decade and the next, there is one very significant option that has not been mentioned. It is the efficient and rational use of energy. I think it is a priority for us to learn how to save energy. We are a developing country and we need to use energy wisely. This point is very delicate and difficult to transaction with. It is easier to build a central but very difficult to change the behaviour of people. We hope to reach out to each home, factory, and community in Morocco to ensure that the energy efficiency measures are applied. The reaching out to millions of individual agreement makers to determine their consumption is an even much extra complex challenge. And so we have made it our ambition that by 2030, we should be able to save over 15% of our normal energy consumption. We’re already tackling this difficult aspect.

Honourable Minister, the price of energy imports increased by 31% in 2011 and in the same year, export price increased by 245%. Nevertheless, the net energy bill totalled 13 billion DH with an increase of 14%.

Sir, what do you hope would be the impact of the renewable energy project on net energy spending in 2020?

The impact will be a significant. We expect to have the production level at 24% coming from 42% of the infrastructure installed. But as you know, the negative aspect of renewable energies is that they are not always available (be it wind or solar). They produce less kilowatts and energy because there is a difference between energy and power. Energy is the relationship between power and the weather. Renewable energies now account for 4% of our consumption whereas we intend to produce 20%. We would consume less fossil fuel.

Germany is today the world’s third largest economy after the United States and China and the first in the European Union with a GDP of over $3,800 billion. Moreover, and most importantly, Germany is currently the leader and voice of Europe.

Sir, what do you think should be the relationship between the two countries, Morocco and Germany?

Germany is today a great country both economically and politically. We have very strong tides with Germany in the energy sector. Thanks to the German Cooperation Agency GIZ, we have maintained very strong cooperation with German companies. Nowadays, you always find an expert from GIZ working in our offices on one of our worksites. We have a lot of of such cooperation worksites mainly in the sectors of water, environment and energy. They as well partake in studies and management of specific projects on the environment.

We have as well established very strong ties with the German Development Bank that provides funding for most of the projects we are working on and as well accompanies us in the fields of solar energy, construction of dams and windmills. Practically, the majority significant cooperation agreements with Germany are in sectors under my jurisdiction, essentially the environment, water and energy sectors. This is an significant relationship and Germany is among the three most significant partners of Morocco.

We have embarked on very significant discussions with our partners including our largest European partner, Germany, on issues concerning the development of renewable energy and particularly exchange energy programme. As you know, our ambition is to create a large Euro-Mediterranean energy market, particularly in the context of the Mediterranean Union and as well with several organisations working on this project at several levels. It is as well about private and public initiatives. It is significant to have an interconnected Mediterranean market in which we can exchange, sell and buy energy and in which each market can be supportive of the other in case of problems. And so it is technically possible for Morocco to exchange energy with Tunisia, Spain, Germany, and France. Morocco is a pioneer to that effect because it is already connected to Spain and Algeria by means of high voltage connections.

We are as well connected to the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, already playing the role of the Euro-Mediterranean connection, which runs from Algeria to Spain and from Portugal via Morocco. For me, Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the Maghreb form one loop. We concluded a number of negotiations with Germany few weeks ago on energy development projects. We signed several cooperation agreements for loan to finance the project and we are currently discussing a memorandum of understanding and a framework agreement between the Ministries of Energy of Morocco and Germany to further develop the cooperation between our two countries through public institutions, education, finance and the industry.

The Moroccan-German agreement in terms of renewable energy is very fluid. In fact, on January 27, 2011, the two countries signed a renewable energy cooperation agreement and moreover, the cooperation boss in the German Embassy, Ingrid Barth, has repeatedly stressed the importance of bilateral collaboration in this domain.

Sir, what are the keys to continuing and strengthening this collaboration with the German government and scientists?

These agreements are on the verge of being finalised and I think we need to truly succeed in creating this renewable energy market and concretise amount the ideas on the table of discussion today. For instance, Morocco is a party to the Desertec Initiative in which Germany is greatly involved nowadays. Germany and Morocco are parties to several initiatives. If we want to trade energy, I think we must talk about energy in terms of wider space, and if we want to exchange energy, you have to cross Spain and France. As you know, you cannot travel to Germany without crossing these countries. We must accordingly think in a broader sense and so Morocco and Germany are driving forces in that light, which means these two countries have the willingness to exchange, particularly in the domain of energy and to export green Moroccan energy to Germany and if possible import energy from the latter or other countries.

There are bilateral cooperation, financing and even technical agreements; we have a renewable energy research institute which is closely linked to Germany and whose manager was educated in that country. He is very familiar with the cooperation between Morocco and Germany, specifically in the field of research and development but we as well need to play a role as a driving force in both countries to improve the cooperation. For example, about three weeks ago, in collaboration with the German Cooperation, we co-organised a largest conference in Marrakech that brought together about 400 participants, which means amount the players in the renewable energy sector in the region were present. Morocco and Germany are somewhat playing the role of catalysts in this cooperation.

Sir, you were appointed Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment in January, which means you are heading a department which deals mainly with the economic development and social evolution of the country.

Honourable Minister, do you envisage any challenge at the end of your political project? What next result would make you proud of your accomplishment?

Let’s summarise it in terms of a project or plan which is quite complex and which I think have two aspects. First, I would very much appreciate were agreement makers and the public to accept the fact that energy, water and the environment are real challenges for the 21st century particularly for Morocco because they are impediments to sustainable development, which means they are indispensable but not infinitive. So our top priorities are to sensitise on the rational use of this natural capital and maintain the environment in which we live because they are essential for our development and that of next generations.

We are to accordingly act in this context and according to this responsibility and make it a priority on our schedule because this is a key ministry with even better importance in other countries. In the last century, Morocco’s largest priorities were road construction and education, which are not for the 21st century as I mentioned previously. So we need to first explain the importance of these priorities to people within the ministry and in other government ministries, and to elected officials or the public, and then ensure that citizens adopt positive attitudes thereon in their daily lives.

The second challenge is to ensure that those sectors are technically equipped because we know that a power plant calls for huge investment, sound financial and technical engineering skills. But those problems will be dealt with in management policies because these plants will surely benefit the residents despite some expected protests. At the end of my term, we should have been able to take sound decisions with long-term technical and economic plans and ensure that policy makers and local citizens abide by them. Today whenever we want to build a sanitary landfill indispensable for waste control, there are always objections and so we need to find ways of getting into dialogue with them in order to take a agreement. It means we need to instate new dialogue strategies in those sectors in Morocco because in the past, decisions by authorities were always adhered to. But now the Government has a vision that will be submitted for the approval of local policy makers and citizens before implementation. This means there should be a change in administrative practices and policies. I am not going to give you any figure because it is a vision. It must first enable us to have a federated society by explaining the importance of these areas in this century which are hindrances for the sustainable development of Morocco. We must secondly devise a new political and democratic practice for these sectors.

I will ask the last but most complicated question. What final message do you have for readers of Financial Times on Morocco and the sector under your responsibility?

We have special admiration for the German system and especially for German companies known for the good quality of their products and sound management skills. We wish to collaborate with these companies and we think that Morocco has what it takes to make this collaboration a success. We have embarked on projects we think may be suitable for our partners. To make a joke, let’s say the Morocco-Germany relationship is a football match at the end of which Germany is almost always the winner; we will ensure that Morocco wins sometimes.