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The project involves building a plant to produce e-fuels
The initial stages of another renewable energy project has been launched in the disputed Western Sahara region, which is under the control of Morocco.
The Janassim project recently launched its measuring campaign of solar and wind energy potential.
European company MGH Energy through its subsidiary MGH Energy Maroc confirmed that it has chosen to work with the Moroccan company Greenard to launch the first stage of its project to build a plant to produce renewable synthetic fuel in the Dakhla region.
MGH Energy develops sustainable fuels to decarbonise transportation.
“The aim of the measuring campaign, which is planned to last at least two years, is to confirm the exceptional quality of the area’s natural wind and solar resources by installing two 120 metre high measuring towers,” said MGH Energy on LinkedIn.
“As a reminder, Janassim plans to install 2.2MW of renewable energy [solar and wind] capacity to produce nearly 500,000 tonnes/year of renewable fuels.”
“Following our presentation of the Janassim project at the World Power-to-X Summit, we are delighted to unveil this project of an e-fuels production plant in Morocco!”
Beyond the renewable energy project
The company said that as part of the Moroccan Green Hydrogen Offer published in March 2024, “MGH Energy Maroc is leading the ambitious Janassim project to develop, build and operate a plant to produce renewable synthetic fuels in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region.”
The project has an investment tag of 50 billion Moroccan dirhams (around $5bn) and is expected to create 2,600 jobs over a 30-year operating period.
The company said that as “an actor in the decarbonisation of maritime and air transport,” MGH Energy Maroc is also keen to contribute to the Kingdom’s sustainable energy sovereignty.
“In addition to the Janassim plant, the company aims to develop a real vertical and horizontal economy around its activity, integrating industrial development in the region, the creation of training and specialised diplomas to meet new needs, and support for agriculture and the local economy.”
Morocco drives renewable energy projects in Western Sahara
Morocco has claimed authority over Western Sahara since 1975, but the UN does not recognise Moroccan control, calling Western Sahara a “non-self-governing territory.”
The UN has called for a referendum to decide the region’s future.
In November last year, the organisation Western Sahara Resource Watch said that “possibly up to 81% of all land that the Moroccan government has allocated for new, gigantic plans for renewable energy, green hydrogen and ammonia, is located outside of Morocco’s international borders, in occupied Western Sahara.”
“In ‘Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab’, the region corresponding to the southern half of the territory, around 800,000ha have been made available to accommodate five mega projects, corresponding to an investment of 231 billion Dirham (around $23.4bn). The northern half of the territory – referred to as the ‘Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region’ by the Moroccan government – will host nine projects on 371,675ha, with a financial injection of 228 billion Dirham (around $23.1bn),” said Western Sahara Resource Watch. |
