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Renewable trade mission visits Morocco

Trade mission led by the Special Trade Envoy to Morocco, Lord Sharman of Redlynch explores opportunities for business in Morocco

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Presentation by Shell

The UK Prime Minister’s Special Trade Envoy to Morocco, Lord Sharman of Redlynch, visited Morocco on 10 to 11 November 2014. Lord Sharman was the head of a delegation of UK companies active in the field of renewable and alternative energies.

The visit was organised by the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the British Embassy in conjunction with British Expertise.

Opportunities in Morocco’s renewables sector

Morocco has established itself as a regional leader in renewable energy, with the most ambitious renewables programme in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

UK companies operate from market-leading positions. They are strong candidates for ‘win-win’ partnerships with Morocco, in areas including wind energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, biofuel and biomass.

Lord Sharman’s visit

Lord Sharman gave a welcome address at a seminar organised by UKTI and the British Embassy. The seminar was supported by the Moroccan renewables agencies:

  • Development Agency for Renwable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ADEREE)
  • National Agency for Research and Development in Renewable Energy (IRESEN)

During the visit British and Moroccan business and government players explored:

  • scope for intensifying partnerships
  • building understanding
  • developing sustainable energy solutions and relationships in wind, solar, waste management and energy efficiency

Lord Sharman and the delegation also called on Moroccan officials for business meetings with a range of stakeholders, and visited several projects, including a waste recycling centre.

UK expertise in renewables

During his visit Lord Sharman noted:

Last year, against a backdrop of falling investment across the EU, UK grew investments in renewables by 20% - outperforming all other European countries.

In the UK, £100 billion of investments is expected to create a total of 250,000 jobs in the low-carbon electricity sector by 2020. We are now half way to our ambition of meeting 30% of UK’s electricity needs from renewables by 2020.

Presentation by Clarke Energy
HMA Clive Alderton at the opening session

Contacts

Contact Fatima-Zahra.Kerdoum@fco.gov.uk for help to develop your business in the Moroccan market.

Published 18 November 2014