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Morocco’s eyeing more renewables, but location is key: Morocco has presented significant plans for green energy production in its budget for 2024 — including provisions for wind, green hydrogen, and ammonia — however, around 81% of the allocated land for these projects is located in the contested Western Sahara, Forbes reports, citing a report from the NGO Western Sahara Resource Watch. Morocco is betting big on renewable energy — with a particular emphasis on wind power — as the Western Sahara’s coasts have strong, consistent winds ranging from 7-11 meters per second, Forbes writes. Morocco has already built a 300 MW wind farm in Tarfaya — the largest wind farm in Africa — just across the border from the Western Sahara.
The EU may not budge: The European Union has said that it would not import energy from the Western Sahara due to the disputed status of the territory, which it recognizes as separate from Morocco under international law, Forbes writes. However, EU countries including Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany signed a Joint Declaration (pdf) with Morocco in 2016 for future cooperation on renewable energy.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
- UAE reportedly planned to discuss fossil fuel deals during COP28: Leaked briefing documents reveal the UAE planned to use its role as host of the COP28 summit to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations. The UAE’s COP28 team did not deny its intention to conduct business talks during the climate summit, saying that "private meetings are private" and work has been focused on “meaningful climate action.” (BBC)
- Mining giants fight for Australia’s lithium corridor: Global mining companies are warring over the acquisition of mining rights in the lithium corridor in Australia's western desert. Giants like US-based Albemarle and Chile’s SQM failed to acquire supply from Liontown Resources and Azure Minerals respectively as Australian magnate Gina Rinehart bought in both companies to drive other suitors off. (The Financial Times)
