Support for improving energy infrastructure in the Oriental region (APIELO)

Project description

Project title: Improving energy infrastructure in the Oriental region (APIELO)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Morocco
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development (MEMDD)
Overall term: 2018 to 2021

Context

Deploying renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) technologies is a priority for the Moroccan Government. The target in the country’s National Energy Strategy 2030 is to increase the share of renewable energy to 52 per cent of Morocco’s installed electricity generation capacity and achieve energy savings of 15 per cent by 2030.

With its significant potential for renewable energy, particularly solar, hydro and biomass, the Oriental region has an important role to play in this transition. In 2011, the country’s first thermal power plant with a concentrated solar power (CSP) component was completed in Ain Beni Mathar, and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Training Institute (IFMEREE) was opened in Oujda.

However, in spite of these publicly funded early projects, there are still too few RE and EE enterprises setting up in the Oriental region. The use of ‘green’ technologies and the number of jobs opening up in this sector at a local level therefore remain very low. Public and private sector players in the Oriental region must acquire additional tools and expertise in order to put Morocco’s strategic policies into action and implement RE and EE projects at the local level. Target sectors for implementing sustainable energy projects in the Oriental region include i.e. construction, industry, agriculture, transport and public lighting.

Objective

By supporting local public and private sector players in their new role of promoting energy projects, the project encourages the development of a local RE and EE market in the Oriental region, which will contribute to climate protection.

Approach

The project has a coordinated approach to the four areas of action described below.

Strengthening regional governance
The project provides advisory services to regional, provincial and local governments and institutions to enable them to translate nationally determined RE and EE strategic policies and goals into action in their respective areas. The aim is to improve their coordination and steering capabilities and their capacity to implement and monitor energy projects. The MEMDD Regional Directorate (is an important partner as it) coordinates the RE and EE activities in the region.

The MEMDD Regional Directorate coordinates the RE and EE activities in the region and therefore plays the role of a key partner among the region’s institutions.
Key activities:

• Set up a coordinating body to prepare a development charter aimed at establishing a common understanding and shared goals for the RE and EE sector and joint action plans for implementing RE and EE projects.
• Draw up an inventory of potential RE and EE initiatives in different economic sectors with a view to planning priority measures at regional level.
• Asses RE and EE projects’ contribution to protecting the climate and provide data for national reporting.

RE and EE training and awareness
Public and private actors in the region need to gain awareness of the benefits of the RE/EE technologies and acquire the needed capacities to promote them
Key activities:

• Run awareness campaigns for political decision-makers, business and civil society representatives as well as farmers on the advantages and scope of RE and EE technologies.
• Provide continuous training aimed at engineers, architects, technicians and other professionals working in the private sector.
• Create new state-recognised RE and EE training modules.

Support for demonstration projects
The project also aims to support sustainable energy projects in urban and rural areas, with a view to demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of these green technologies to different potential customer segments. 
Key activities:

• Advise public and private sector players on incorporating RE and EE technologies through flagship projects.
• Provide support for regular evaluation of the technical and economic impact of flagship RE and EE projects.
• Advise regional, provincial and district groups on incorporating acquired experiences in local development plans to then trigger investments in the sector.

Support for the private sector
The project aims to improve the range of RE and EE services and products offered by private enterprises in the Oriental region. This will foster the sustainable development of a local market for climate-friendly technologies in the region. The project will provide advice to businesses (electricians, plumbers, constructors, engineering firms, architecture firms, etc.) on developing, improving and marketing their RE/EE services and products.
Key activities:

• Create a network of RE and EE enterprises for increased visibility in the sector that can respond to calls for tenders for RE and EE projects in the region.
• Provide coaching for enterprises to improve the marketing of RE and EE technologies and products based on international quality standards.
• Networking between training centres and the private sector to facilitate the integration of young graduates into the private sector.