Analysis of electricity production and consumption in Morocco: Assessing the electricity deficit and key contributing factors

Abstract

This paper examines the electricity sector of Morocco from 2011 to 2022. Based on the data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the World Bank, and ONEE, four major indicators were computed: electricity deficit (ED), electricity import dependency (EID), self-sufficiency ratio (SSR), and per capita electricity consumption (PCEC). The findings indicate that electricity production increased from 20.3 TWh in 2011 to 41.2 TWh in 2022, while consumption climbed from 26 TWh to 35 TWh for the same period. The self-sufficiency ratio remained above 100% after 2015 and reached a maximum of 121.2% in 2019, clearly indicating Morocco's transition from an importer to a net exporter of electricity. Although the renewable capacity has grown to make up 38% of the mix, coal stayed the main source (59.4% in 2022). The per capita consumption went up from 790 kWh to 934 kWh. These results unveil that Morocco has made remarkable strides in electricity self-sufficiency while still facing the challenge of fossil fuel lock-in. Accelerating the integration of renewables, making the grid more flexible, and formulating specific coal transition policies are the study's main recommendations for ensuring sustainability in the long run.