Morocco is reportedly set to double its green energy output in the Western Sahara by 2027 as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, an unnamed Energy Ministry official told Bloomberg. The plan will entail developing around 1.4 GW of solar and wind projects with USD 2.1 bn. Western Sahara’s current capacity stands at 1.3 GW of renewable energy output.

International recognition made a difference: The EU said last year that it would not import energy from the Western Sahara due to the disputed status of the territory. However, more states are increasingly supporting the energy project and recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the region, including the US, Spain, and France.

REFRESHER- The project was first announced by Morocco's National Office for Electricity last year. France first expressed interest in funding a 3 GW power cable linking the Moroccan city of Casablanca to the town of Dakhla in Western Sahara back in April.

Many are interested in the region: Regional and international developers have been eying Dakhla-Valley of Gold for green energy projects, with Taqa Morocco — a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) — already securing 70k hectares in Dakhla-Oued El-Dahab to develop a 6 GW renewables farm that will power a planned MAD 100 bn (c.USD 10 bn) green hydrogen project.

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