• Morocco to phase out coal power by 2040
• Coal made up 62% of electricity, 48% of emissions in 2023
• Plan aligns with global trend, boosts renewables by 2030
  

Morocco has confirmed its intention to progressively phase out coal from its electricity production by 2040. This target is outlined in the updated version of the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which sets Morocco’s climate commitments for the 2026-2035 period.

The move follows the kingdom’s adherence to the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) and signals a commitment to decarbonizing an energy sector still reliant on fossil fuels. Coal remains the main source of electricity in Morocco, accounting for 62% of total production in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

This dependency weighs heavily on the country’s carbon footprint, as the power sector contributes 48% of national emissions, with coal responsible for nearly 88% of that total. This makes coal a critical climate issue for the nation. The NDC 3.0 projects that average annual temperatures in Morocco could rise by over 3 degrees Celsius by 2050, accompanied by a widespread annual precipitation decrease of between 5% and 15%. Such changes are likely to deplete water resources and heighten vulnerability to droughts.

Globally, the shift away from coal is accelerating, often for similar reasons. The Boom and Bust Coal 2025 report, published by Global Energy Monitor in April 2025, found that only 44 gigawatts (GW) of new coal capacity were commissioned in 2024, the lowest level in two decades. Excluding China, global coal capacity actually decreased by 9.2 GW. Furthermore, coal projects under development outside of China and India have fallen by over 80% since 2015, dropping from 445 GW to 80 GW in 2024.

By setting a 2040 phase-out deadline, Morocco aligns with this global trend, prioritizing climate action while simultaneously seeking to enhance its energy security, primarily through tripling its installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Abdoullah Diop