On September 4, 2026, the European Commission released a report highlighting the operational industrial capabilities in Morocco, contrasting them with announced investments that are still in development. While Morocco is making strides in producing materials for batteries and some energy equipment, it is evident that several strategic links in the supply chain are still missing. The study, which focuses on the clean technology industry in the Middle East and North Africa, is based on data, literature reviews, and interviews conducted between February and May 2026.
The report acknowledges Morocco's strong industrial foundation, particularly in sectors like automotive, aerospace, chemistry, and electrical equipment. Its geographical proximity to Europe, trade agreements, and the infrastructure of the Tanger Med port significantly enhance its integration into international production networks. However, despite these advantages, the country’s solar energy production is primarily limited to the assembly of less complex equipment. For instance, the company Solaris has an annual assembly capacity of 1 GW for solar modules, alongside the production of mounting structures, low-voltage solar cables, and solar water heaters. Yet, the report highlights a notable absence of operational production facilities for wafers, photovoltaic cells, or solar glass, with projects concerning high-quality solar silicon still not reaching industrial levels.
In the wind energy sector, the scenario is similarly mixed. The manufacturer Aeolon produces blades in Morocco, and the nation's metallurgical capabilities could support the manufacturing of wind turbine masts. However, the report indicates that there is currently no production of turbines, gearboxes, generators, or other advanced wind energy components. This gap is particularly pronounced in the battery sector, which is expected to attract some of the most significant investments in Morocco. While COBCO is already producing precursors for active cathode materials, the nation’s rich phosphate and cobalt resources are advantageous for developing a specialized ecosystem. Projects are also in the pipeline for cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes.
Nevertheless, the European Commission clearly distinguishes between these activities and the announced gigafactory projects in Morocco. At the time of the assessment, there was no operational battery cell manufacturing in the country, with the majority of reported investments still under development. The disparity is even more pronounced in the hydrogen sector, where Moroccan industrial players can supply certain peripheral equipment, yet there is no operational production of electrolyzer cells. Current activities remain limited to studies, pilot projects, and proposed investments, indicating that Morocco's ambitions for exporting green hydrogen to Europe have yet to materialize into a tangible local industrial chain.
On a more positive note, Morocco's network equipment sector is the most advanced, with the country producing transformers, electrical panels, and low-voltage cables. It is already exporting certain transformers and substation equipment to African markets. The production of medium-voltage cables is beginning to develop, although high-voltage cable manufacturing has not yet been established. Furthermore, advanced electronic equipment for network control remains largely imported.
Several stakeholders interviewed for the report pointed out challenges related to administrative delays, authorization procedures, and the slow implementation of specific support mechanisms. While the country boasts significant human capital, industrial infrastructure, and overall attractiveness, the execution of projects remains a crucial hurdle. The European report does not undermine Morocco's industrial potential; rather, it measures only the capabilities that are genuinely available. An announced factory, regardless of the size of the investment, is only counted as national capacity once its production has commenced.
As reported by bladi.net.
