Imagine a country that once relied on coal for almost two-thirds of its electricity now deciding to walk away from coal entirely by 2040. That’s the commitment Morocco has made. The government recently announced that when the right level of international climate finance is secured, it will shut down all coal-fired power by 2040. After joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) in 2023, Morocco has pledged to stop building new coal plants, retire the old ones early, and speed up its shift to cleaner alternatives like wind and solar. It’s a bold moment in the nation’s energy story and a potential blueprint for Africa’s clean-energy future.
Just a few years ago, coal made up about 70% of Morocco’s electricity. By 2024, that number had fallen to roughly 59%. Renewables, especially wind and solar, now supply about a quarter of the country’s electricity, and the government wants half of its installed capacity to come from clean energy by 2030. The motivation is clear: Morocco imports its coal, which makes the country vulnerable to global price swings. By replacing coal with local sun and wind, the country can boost its energy security, cut emissions, and shape a more resilient energy system.
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Of course, the transition won’t be simple. Retiring coal plants early comes with financial and legal hurdles. The country must expand its power grid, invest in storage, secure international funding, and support workers and communities that depend on coal. Morocco estimates that its wider climate and resilience agenda through 2035 will require around US$96 billion.
Geography, climate pressure, and limited fossil resources have long pushed Morocco toward renewables. With severe droughts and advancing desertification already affecting the country, the government sees a cleaner energy system as essential—not just environmentally, but economically. Cleaner air, steady electricity prices, and protection against climate-related shocks all strengthen the case for change.
Morocco’s 2040 coal phase-out is more than an energy policy; it’s a major economic and strategic shift. By redirecting investment from coal to renewables, expanding clean-energy capacity, and modernising its infrastructure, Morocco aims to reduce its reliance on fuel imports and attract new flows of climate finance and green industry.
Across Africa, the ripple effects could be significant. Many countries on the continent still depend on coal or are planning new coal projects. Morocco is proving that a coal exit doesn’t have to wait until the second half of the century. It offers a working model—link your national goals with climate finance, build renewables at scale, and manage the transition fairly. In the long run, this leadership could help strengthen regional energy trade, spark renewable-manufacturing hubs, and give Africa a stronger voice in global climate diplomacy.
Phasing out coal will require new renewable plants, stronger grids, and reliable storage so the lights stay on when coal plants shut down. Morocco’s target of 52% renewable capacity by 2030 is ambitious, but the country’s solar and wind potential—and its track record—make it achievable.
The shift will also reshape the workforce. Some coal-dependent jobs will disappear, but the government has committed to a “just transition,” with training and new opportunities in areas like solar and wind installation, operations, and equipment manufacturing. Done right, this could create more jobs than it replaces.
International finance will be a deciding factor. Morocco’s pledge is conditional for a reason: even committed countries need global partners to move quickly. But the environmental payoff is clear—less air pollution, lower emissions, and better resilience in the face of drought and rising temperatures.
Morocco has already stopped planning new coal plants and raised renewables to nearly a quarter of its electricity mix by 2024. With plans to add more than 12 GW of new renewable capacity and a clear coal-exit date, the next chapter is all about implementation: securing funding, supporting workers, upgrading infrastructure, and managing temporary gas needs during the transition.
Morocco’s decision is more than a national milestone—it’s a signal to the continent. Africa can leap into a clean-energy future instead of locking itself into outdated and risky fossil-fuel systems. Morocco is showing what’s possible. The resources are there. The moment is now.
