5 FROM FUEL-POOR TO RADIANT: MOROCCO’S ENERGY …
143
and Oulmès’s revenue dropped by 91% over the previous year. 147 This
is an example of consumers holding companies to whom they provide
revenue accountable. However, it is not clear whether rents provided for
renewable energy development suppressed democracy or lessened public
accountability over state funding and priorities.
These examples illustrate that the renewable energy transition must
balance multiple and sometimes amorphous goals, ranging from geopolitics and multilateral and bilateral relations, to nation-state pride and
power, to socioeconomic inequality and public perceptions. All of these
considerations shape energy policy, but energy policy analysts tend to only
look at one side or another, based on disciplinary persuasions.
Conclusion
In this chapter, I have drawn on different geopolitical lenses, examining
nation-state interests in scarce resources; economics and institutions; and
competing social, international, and economic pressures. One perspective suggests that politics trump markets when state security is involved.
This can be seen to some extent in Morocco’s goals to pursue highercost renewable energy from CSP to bolster energy independence, but the
goals also seek to meet socioeconomic and industrial policy needs. Simultaneously, Morocco is phasing out fossil fuel subsidies that threaten the
macroeconomic stability of the economy. Since the Moroccan state lacks
the fossil fuel wealth of its neighbors in the MENA region, it cannot
afford to maintain state stability by providing large subsidies on energy
services to its population.
Few countries are on track to transition to a 100% renewable electricity
system, let alone a renewable energy system. Morocco’s 52% of capacity
goal is viewed as ambitious. Thus, renewable energy strategy cannot be
separated from hydrocarbon geopolitics and overall energy policy. Instead
of adding additional fuel-oil capacity to back up intermittent renewable
energy supply, Morocco is adding natural gas. While natural gas does not
improve energy independence, it will help to power development; back
up intermittent renewable energy, particularly in the absence of grid integration; and reduce emissions over fuel-oil or coal. Increasing natural gas
generation, however, has geopolitical dimensions due to Morocco’s frosty
relations with its gas-rich neighbor. Thus, Morocco seeks to gain suppliers
in West Africa and the United States.
143
and Oulmès’s revenue dropped by 91% over the previous year. 147 This
is an example of consumers holding companies to whom they provide
revenue accountable. However, it is not clear whether rents provided for
renewable energy development suppressed democracy or lessened public
accountability over state funding and priorities.
These examples illustrate that the renewable energy transition must
balance multiple and sometimes amorphous goals, ranging from geopolitics and multilateral and bilateral relations, to nation-state pride and
power, to socioeconomic inequality and public perceptions. All of these
considerations shape energy policy, but energy policy analysts tend to only
look at one side or another, based on disciplinary persuasions.
Conclusion
In this chapter, I have drawn on different geopolitical lenses, examining
nation-state interests in scarce resources; economics and institutions; and
competing social, international, and economic pressures. One perspective suggests that politics trump markets when state security is involved.
This can be seen to some extent in Morocco’s goals to pursue highercost renewable energy from CSP to bolster energy independence, but the
goals also seek to meet socioeconomic and industrial policy needs. Simultaneously, Morocco is phasing out fossil fuel subsidies that threaten the
macroeconomic stability of the economy. Since the Moroccan state lacks
the fossil fuel wealth of its neighbors in the MENA region, it cannot
afford to maintain state stability by providing large subsidies on energy
services to its population.
Few countries are on track to transition to a 100% renewable electricity
system, let alone a renewable energy system. Morocco’s 52% of capacity
goal is viewed as ambitious. Thus, renewable energy strategy cannot be
separated from hydrocarbon geopolitics and overall energy policy. Instead
of adding additional fuel-oil capacity to back up intermittent renewable
energy supply, Morocco is adding natural gas. While natural gas does not
improve energy independence, it will help to power development; back
up intermittent renewable energy, particularly in the absence of grid integration; and reduce emissions over fuel-oil or coal. Increasing natural gas
generation, however, has geopolitical dimensions due to Morocco’s frosty
relations with its gas-rich neighbor. Thus, Morocco seeks to gain suppliers
in West Africa and the United States.