Rabat: The World Bank Board of Directors has approved $265 million to support the Ifahsa Pumped Hydropower Storage Project in Morocco, marking a major clean energy infrastructure investment in northern Morocco and one of the most substantial initiatives of its kind on the African continent. According to Emirates News Agency, the project aims to enhance the reliability and resilience of Morocco's electricity system by providing flexible storage capacity. This will support the integration of higher levels of renewable energy generation, offering Moroccan electricity consumers, including households and businesses, a more reliable and cleaner electricity supply. Situated near Chefchaouen, the facility will function as a massive rechargeable battery for the national electricity grid. It will pump water to an upper reservoir during periods of high renewable energy production, such as when there is abundant sunlight or strong winds. The stored water will then be released through turbines to generate electricity du ring peak demand periods. The project is expected to create substantial economic opportunities for Moroccan communities. During its construction phase, it is anticipated to generate approximately 820 direct jobs annually. Additionally, the renewable energy capacity it facilitates will create further employment opportunities across the energy sector and beyond. Moroccan businesses will gain access to cleaner electricity, enhancing their competitiveness in international markets that increasingly prioritize low-carbon supply chains. The 300-megawatt facility will enable Morocco to integrate at least 1 gigawatt of additional solar and wind energy into its national grid. This integration is expected to unlock around $1 billion in private investment, replacing approximately 3 terawatt-hours of electricity currently produced from fossil fuels each year, and avoiding an estimated 1.7 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.
