Sahara Wind at the Rabat Energy Forum
The Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Energy Charter Secretariat held an international conference in Rabat on 20-21 September 2012 on the topic "Creating a Competitive Integrated Regional Energy Market in the MENA Region: the Contribution of the Energy Charter ".
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region accounts for about 57% of the world's proven oil reserves and 41% of proven natural gas reserves, according to the World Bank. At the same time, the region has enormous solar energy potential. Population growth, rapid urbanisation and economic development are putting pressure on the existing infrastructure. Over the next 30 years, the total investment needs of the MENA region energy sector are estimated at over US$ 30 billion a year, or about 3% of the region's total projected GDP.
Morocco is the largest energy importer in Northern Africa. It is one of the Maghreb electricity interconnection countries, it is also a transit country for Algerian gas exports to Spain and an active participant in the Mediterranean Solar Plan. The country's legislation framework is very attractive for foreign direct investments. Its institutional system already includes the Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), the Development Agency for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. An independent regulator for natural gas and electricity is currently being established.
Participants have been invited to contribute to an active debate with a view to developing a comprehensive picture of the challenges related to creating a competitive integrated energy market in the MENA region, while identifying the added value of the Energy Charter Treaty in achieving this goal.
The Conference took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morroco:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morroco
Room "Balafrej"
7, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt
Rabat, Morocco
Attendance was by registration only; organisers reserved the right to limit the number of participants in accordance with the seating capacity of the meeting room.
For enquiries, please contact the Energy Charter Secretariat at Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser. or +32-2-775-98-00.
