In a significant step for Morocco’s green energy ambitions, French company MGH Energy and Morocco’s national energy distributor Petrom have announced a partnership to establish a renewable fuel production mega-project in Morocco’s Sahara region. Sealed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco, the partnership will focus on developing the Janassim plant in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, dedicated to producing sustainable synthetic fuels.
This groundbreaking facility is expected to generate approximately 500,000 tons per year of renewable fuels, including e-methanol and e-jet fuel, alongside 2.2 GW of renewable energy from wind and solar sources. With a projected investment of 51 billion dirhams (about $5 billion), the project is anticipated to create 2,600 jobs over its 30-year operational lifespan.
MGH Energy brings its expertise in renewable energy, industrial project management, and transportation decarbonization, while Petrom will leverage its strengths in fuel distribution and market reach within Morocco. According to Youssef Haffane, director of MGH Energy Morocco, construction is slated to begin in 2027, assuming land mobilization goes as planned, with initial fuel deliveries expected by 2030. The launch will coincide with the opening of the new Dakhla port, a crucial gateway for the project’s exports.
The project will serve domestic and European markets, with Morocco’s ports in Nador and Dakhla positioned as key hubs for distribution. Target customers include national and European airlines, aiming to incorporate the carbon-neutral fuels into their supply chains.
Beyond simply producing renewable fuels, MGH Energy aims to stimulate a broader economic ecosystem within the region, including workforce training, specialized degree programs, and support for local agriculture and industries. By contributing to Morocco’s green energy autonomy and economic development, the Janassim plant is positioned to become a cornerstone of Morocco’s renewable energy sector and its pursuit of sustainable growth across the continent.
