• Morocco signs deal to build its first green polysilicon production unit.

• The $864 million project will produce 30,000 tons a year, mostly for export.

• The plant supports national goals for sustainable industry and solar expansion.

Morocco announced on November 22 a major industrial project following the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Investment and GPM Holding SA to create the country’s first green polysilicon production unit.

The project will mobilize an investment of 8 billion dirhams ($864 million) and will be built in the El Ouatia industrial zone. It is designed for an annual capacity of 30,000 tons. A large share of production, about 85 %, will be exported. The project is also expected to create 1,500 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs, aligning with national priorities to strengthen productive investment and support sustainable industrialization.

Polysilicon plays a central role in the solar value chain. It is an ultra-pure form of silicon and the base material used to manufacture photovoltaic modules. It is heated to form ingots, which are cut into thin wafers and then transformed into cells. These components form the solar modules used in renewable energy projects. A polysilicon plant therefore anchors the first stage of an industrial chain still largely concentrated in Asia.

The global market is indeed dominated by Chinese manufacturers. Nine of the world’s ten largest producers are based in China. According to Bernreuter Research, China accounted for 93.5 % of global production in 2024. This reflects the scale of its industrial capabilities and its heavy investment in solar-grade materials.

The project launched in Tan-Tan strengthens Morocco’s industrial base and marks its entry into a strategic sector. It could also support the country’s ambitions in the solar industry, as the kingdom aims for renewable energy to account for 52 % of its energy mix.