Localize Access to Renewable Energies in Morocco

Background

Renewable energy (RE) sources power transformational outcomes for community development projects from all sectors. To secure cross-cutting benefits, localized (or decentralized) RE initiatives need to follow the same essential model of sustainable projects in general, which is that members of villages and neighborhoods must first identify and then implement their own priorities for development and change.

RE by nature will always be bound to the full landscape of human development. It inherently thrives on decentralized systems because of its constant need to adapt with local conditions and situations depending on the most urgent needs and priorities of the local people.

Activities

Clean water remains a priority over decades for rural Moroccan people. This has only been exacerbated in the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake that left enormous amounts of water and energy infrastructure damaged.

Because of the shift in priorities of rural Moroccan communities, the High Atlas Foundation has focused on addressing these urgent needs in the months after the earthquake. A critical component of immediate relief supplies were solar kits to give people an accessible, stable source of energy.

Additionally, longer-term relief and rebuilding efforts have provided over 4,000 beneficiaries with 178 solar panels and 5 solar powered pumps in villages including Widrarane, Tanamerte, and Agouns to transform energy and water infrastructure and build back stronger.

Outside of earthquake affected areas, HAF is also encouraging many farmers in Morocco to use solar-powered water pumps to irrigate their trees and sapling. When communities receive solar panels, they also receive training on how to maintain the panels and handle the tools and equipment needed for maintenance.

Story

One community member of the Tanamerte village said:

“Our village…. we were suffering from a lack of clean drinking water, especially in summer. We had to go down to the river for 20 minutes to get clean drinking water, and we had to do this almost every day. But now, with the help of the High Atlas Foundation, we have solar panels that provide electricity to the pump, and we have pipes directly from the spring. Now everyone has access to water.”

In this case, the identification of clean water as a priority by Tanamerte village then enabled the building of renewable energy infrastructure, mainly solar panels, to help communities achieve their goal of clean water in a way that is sustainable.

Going forward

RE will be an important part of HAF’s rebuilding efforts in order to create transformational infrastructure changes that will make communities more resilient in the long-term. RE presents an ideal opportunity to achieve development, water, and agriculture goals in a way that is sustainable for communities to manage long-term.