INTEGRATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN MOROCCO

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1 INTEGRATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN MOROCCO Dr. El Mostafa Jamea renewables.com MENA Renewables and Sustainability

2 Energy function of the Agricultural sector Agriculture assures an energy function; supply of biomass, biofuels and raw materials for bio gas production Agriculture has the potential to integrate wind and solar technologies, and extend its energy function Morocco and the rest of African countries could capitalize on the experiences from Germany, Denmark and Italy and integrate renewable technologies for different forms t of energy production Different applications of renewable energy technologies within the agricultural sector are technically feasible, environment friendly and economically viable Integration of renewable technologies within the agricultural sector in Morocco has challenges to overcome and opportunities to capitalize on 2

3 Agriculture in Morocco Dependent on precipitations and facing climate changes and desertification in the arid and semi arid areas Agriculture as energy supplier in Morocco Agriculture as energy consumer Importance of Irrigated agriculture in Morocco Table 1: Land use indicators in Morocco Source: based on data from (World Bank, 2010) 3

4 Potential analysis of renewable energy technologies applications in the agricultural sector Energy source Diesel Butane PV Fuel cost ( euros) , ,15 0,00 Cost of fuel deliveries/ refilling ( euros) 2 307, ,69 0,00 Maintenance cost ( euros) 2 769, ,69 0,00 Initial cost ( euros) 1 846, , ,08 Total cost ( euros) , , ,08 Cost per m 3 ( euros) 0,09 0,05 0,06 4

5 Potential analysis of renewable energy technologies applications in the agricultural sector Solar cooling: needed for preserving fruits and vegetables; EEAA (2008) estimates that Morocco needs 1,3 GW capacity Power Generation: SM scale PV systems for in farm as well as commercial power generation. Solar power dish Stirling engine technology could be deployed at small scale in the medium term once the material and technology costs become more competitive. Bio energy: technology that contribute in solving waste managements issues, valorise waste and generate dispatchable power and energy. Wind energy Wind energy is a technology that enables multiple land use The integration of wind energy projects in the agricultural sector could be an opportunity for agricultural enterprises and farmers to diversify their incomes, secure their energy supply, contribute in grids stability and security and reduce energy transmission losses. Wind energy projects demand intensive capitals, there is a need to mobilize funds to develop such projects, and to create attractive financing mechanisms for farmers and to build their technical and managerial capacities on wind projects. Wind energy could be used to generate electricity for domestic and commercial use. Wind energy could also be used to operate sea water desalinisation facilities. 5

6 Opportunities and challenges 6

7 Main insights and recommendation Renewable energies are an attractive alternative for electricity and heat generation in Morocco particularly and generally in Africa Renewable technologies integration within the agricultural sector is expected to intensify in short and medium terms, driven mainly by market The planned removal of direct subsidies to conventional fuels will eventually boost the use of Photovoltaic in water pumping systems in short and medium terms The openness of the low and medium voltage grids to renewable energy projects will boost small scale CSP and PV systems installed in agricultural farms Needs for adequate financing mechanisms, mobilisation of skilled workers, and RD&I MORSFF will contribute in scaling up small and medium RE projects There is still need for studies and researches to investigate the best business models for the integration of renewable energy technologies in the Moroccan agricultural sector, and the technical and social challenges that may handicap deployment of renewable energy technologies in rural areas in Morocco Additional investigations are also needed to test energy crops suitable in arid zones and to assess their needs in irrigation, and eventually find innovative solutions for greening the arid zones 7