Mitsubishi Power: Morocco’s Transition to Green Hydrogen
Mitsubishi Power has secured a major order to supply two J-class hydrogen-ready gas turbines for the Al Wahda Open Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant in Morocco to support the country’s energy transition efforts.
This deal will enable the peaker plant to generate a combined 990MW, representing nearly 7% of Morocco's national grid capacity.
The Al Wahda Power Plant, located near Al Wahda Dam in the Province of Ouazzane, will play a crucial role in stabilising the Moroccan national grid.
As a peaker power plant, it will integrate with the country's growing renewable energy resources, providing rapid response to grid fluctuations and ensuring continuous, reliable power supply.
Javier Cavada, President and CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mitsubishi Power, says: “We are proud to partner with The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water and CEEC on this milestone project that underscores our commitment to advancing the Kingdom of Morocco’s energy infrastructure.
“As the country continues its bold journey towards increasing the share of renewable energy in its grid, the Al Wahda Power Plant will serve as a cornerstone in ensuring grid stability and reliable power generation.”
Hydrogen-ready technology
As one of the first African countries to develop a green hydrogen strategy, Morocco is preparing for the energy transition.
The country aims to create an economic and industrial sector around green molecules, particularly hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, to consolidate its energy transition.
Mitsubishi Power's state-of-the-art M701JAC gas turbines are capable of co-firing hydrogen with natural gas, offering flexibility for future decarbonisation.
The plant is designed to operate with maximum availability, providing continuous power output to meet growing energy demands and contributing to the goal of reaching more than 52% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030.
Javier explains: “Our state-of-the-art M701JAC gas turbines, renowned for their efficiency and durability, will deliver continuous, dependable power even under the most demanding conditions, adapting seamlessly to the dynamic needs of the grid.
“This collaboration not only reinforces our dedication to delivering cutting-edge, hydrogen-ready solutions but also marks a significant step forward in supporting Morocco’s broader vision for a sustainable, resilient energy future.
“We are excited to continue accelerating our ability to deliver clean, reliable and efficient power generation solutions that support our customers in powering the lives of communities in Morocco and across the region.”
Morocco’s green hydrogen roadmap
Morocco's green hydrogen roadmap, set out in 2021, expects a demand of up to 30 TWh by 2030 and 307 TWh by 2050, requiring 2GW in renewable energy sources.
The government has recently announced plans to allocate one million hectares of land for green hydrogen projects, with 300,000 hectares available in the first phase.
Between 2020 and 2030, the country aims to use hydrogen as a feedstock in the local production of green ammonia and the export of green hydrogen to other countries with sustainability goals.
Between 2030 and 2040, it aims to use hydrogen as an energy storage vector alongside production and export of green hydrogen, ammonia and synthetic fuels.
By 2050, green hydrogen is hoped to have expanded its trade globally alongside its use in industry, residential heating and transport within Morocco.
Tarik Hamane, Chairman of The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, says: “The Al Wahda Power Plant is a vital step in our energy strategy and through our partnership with Mitsubishi Power, we are pleased to harness the efficiencies and benefits of the company’s gas turbine technology to drive operational excellence and sustainability.
“We are happy to partner with Mitsubishi Power on this project, as their cutting-edge technology will ensure that we meet our growing energy demands while integrating more renewable energy into the grid.”
The Al Wahda Power Plant
The Al Wahda Power Plant is expected to begin operations in 2027.
Mitsubishi Power has also signed a long-term service agreement with ONEE for the provision of parts, repairs and services, ensuring high availability and sustained reliability of the equipment.
The project involves collaboration between Mitsubishi Power, ONEE and China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited (CEEC).
This partnership underscores the commitment to advancing Morocco's energy infrastructure and supporting its broader vision for a sustainable, resilient energy future.
Lyu Zexiang, President of China Energy International Group Corporation Limited (CEIG), a subsidiary of CEEC, says: “We are excited to partner with Mitsubishi Power for the Al Wahda Power Plant, a landmark project.
“By utilising cutting-edge technology, we are confident that the plant will deliver reliable and efficient power, establishing new benchmarks in both operational excellence and sustainability.
“Together, we are committed to delivering a power plant that will serve as a cornerstone for Morocco’s energy future, ensuring stable and reliable electricity for years to come.”
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