Free Electricity for Low Consumption Households in Morocco
On September 12, 2026, a significant political promise was made by the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) in Morocco, proposing that households with electricity bills under 100 dirhams could receive their electricity for free. This initiative is designed to support small consumers and is estimated to cost nearly four billion dirhams annually. Although this proposal is part of the PAM's commitments for the upcoming 2026 elections, it remains a concept and has not yet been formalized into government policy. Key aspects such as funding mechanisms and eligibility criteria are still pending further discussion and definition.
An energy expert has expressed that while the idea is intriguing, setting a specific monetary threshold could create disparities among households based on the rates charged by different electricity distributors. The expert suggests an alternative approach that considers the actual quantity of electricity consumed, rather than simply the bill amount. According to this scenario, households consuming up to 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would not incur any charges, but once consumption exceeds this threshold, the entire bill would once again become payable. However, it is important to note that this technical suggestion is not part of the PAM's original election promise.
Assessing the Financial Impact of the Proposal
The estimated financial burden of this free electricity initiative is projected to be around four billion dirhams per year. This estimation draws on data presented in 2018 by former Energy Minister Aziz Rabbah, which highlighted that approximately 4.1 million Moroccan households consumed between 0 and 150 kWh monthly, with an average bill of 75 dirhams. Based on this broader data, the theoretical cost would reach nearly 3.7 billion dirhams per year. However, the actual cost will only be ascertainable with updated figures that specify the number of households whose consumption remains under 100 kWh or whose bills do not exceed 100 dirhams.
This policy could also influence consumption habits. Households slightly exceeding the 100 kWh threshold might be encouraged to reduce their consumption to benefit from the proposed free electricity. The expert estimates that a 10% reduction in consumption among the affected households could translate to an annual savings of around 370 gigawatt-hours.
For the most economically vulnerable families, the financial relief could be substantial. A monthly bill of 100 dirhams amounts to 1,200 dirhams annually, which is nearly equivalent to one month's income for a rural household earning 1,500 dirhams monthly. As such, this promise could become a pivotal issue in the electoral campaign. However, given the financial implications, the selection of the threshold, and potential inequalities among subscribers, the effective implementation of this initiative would necessitate careful consideration and multiple decision-making processes.
As reported by bladi.net.
