Morocco is once again turning to foreign electricity to meet its energy needs. According to the latest economic report from the Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts, electricity imports surged by 14.4% in January 2025, reversing last year’s steep decline of 21.8%. What makes this jump more surprising is that domestic power production also rose significantly during the same period, climbing 6.7%.
At the heart of this unexpected shift is an unprecedented spike in local demand. Electricity consumption in January soared by 16.7%, the highest rate of growth recorded in nearly three decades. This surge is largely driven by a sharp rebound in industrial activity. That’s especially evident in the 55.3% increase in electricity sales to high and medium-voltage clients outside of distribution networks—primarily large manufacturers.
Even with production on the rise, local supply simply couldn’t keep up. As a result, Morocco leaned on its international energy connections, particularly its link to the European grid through Spain, to cover the shortfall. These imports serve as a quick fix, allowing the country to meet demand spikes without overloading its own infrastructure or risking blackouts.
Still, this reliance—even if temporary—raises serious questions. Morocco has poured substantial resources into renewable energy in recent years, aiming to reduce its dependence on foreign electricity and establish itself as a regional energy powerhouse. Yet in January, green energy production under the framework of Law 13-09 actually declined by 3.5%, a sharp contrast to the 31% growth seen the previous year.
Further complicating matters, Morocco’s electricity exports fell dramatically—down 43.6% over the same period. This sudden drop flips the country’s energy trade balance on its head. For a nation that has long positioned itself as a future energy exporter to both Africa and Europe, the move from net exporter to increased importer—however short-term—undermines that vision.
This reversal highlights a broader tension: as Morocco races to fuel its internal growth, it’s dialing back on exports and turning to outside sources, risking its long-term goal of energy independence and regional influence.
