Morocco is well-placed to integrate nuclear power into its energy mix, supported by an electricity grid exceeding 10 gigawatts, positioning it among a small group of African countries technically ready to pursue civilian nuclear programmes, Jeune Afrique magazine reported.
This came after the World Bank Group ended a decades-long absence from nuclear project financing and formalized a partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support the safe and responsible development of nuclear energy in developing countries, the institution said.
To avoid the high costs associated with conventional plants, Rabat is focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs), a next-generation technology viewed as more adaptable to developing economies, the magazine said.
These units, typically under 300 megawatts and costing from around 1 billion euros, offer flexibility to power industrial demand while integrating smoothly into existing grids, Jeune Afrique wrote.
Morocco’s push comes amid growing energy pressure across Africa, where around 600 million people still lack access to electricity. In response, some 22 countries are exploring nuclear power as a stable, low-carbon source capable of delivering continuous baseload electricity, the magazine said.
World Bank President Ajay Banga said praised nuclear energy as part of the range of options available to countries seeking reliable and affordable electricity, especially as demand in developing economies is projected to more than double by 2035.
