New Off-Grid Power System for Smart Cities in Morocco

Morocco is advancing off-grid and smart city energy solutions through hybrid renewable systems, smart grids, and supportive regulatory frameworks, enabling decentralized, sustainable, and efficient electricity generation.

Smart Grid Integration

Morocco has launched Africa's first Smart Grid platform at the Center for Electrical Sciences and Technology, financed by the African Development Bank with over four million dirhams . This platform enables real-time monitoring and control of electricity distribution, integrating intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind into national and local grids. Smart meters allow households and businesses to track energy consumption, detect inefficiencies, and optimize usage, potentially improving energy efficiency by up to 40% . The Smart Grids Test Lab in Benguerir supports research and experimentation for next-generation electrical networks, promoting decentralized energy production where citizens and businesses can inject surplus energy into the grid.

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) for Off-Grid Areas

For regions lacking conventional grid infrastructure, hybrid renewable energy systems combining photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and battery storage have proven effective . Studies in Dakhla, Morocco, show that PV-wind-diesel-battery configurations optimize energy reliability, minimize costs, and reduce CO2 emissions. Using simulation tools like HOMER and optimization algorithms (GA, PSO, SA), these systems achieve a cost of energy (COE) of $0.160/kWh and high renewable fractions, making them suitable for off-grid smart city applications . Such systems ensure continuous power supply while supporting sustainable urban development.

Regulatory Framework for Self-Generation

Morocco has consolidated its legal framework for self-generation under Law No. 82-21 and Decree No. 2-25-100, establishing three regimes based on capacity and grid connection :

• Declaration regime for small off-grid or low-voltage connected systems
• Connection agreement regime for 11 kW–5 MW facilities
• Authorization regime for facilities ≥5 MW connected to medium- or high-voltage grids This framework facilitates decentralized renewable energy deployment, enabling commercial, industrial, and residential users to generate electricity for self-consumption or grid injection, supporting Morocco's goal of 52% renewable electricity capacity by 2030 .

Renewable Energy Deployment and Storage

Morocco is rapidly expanding solar and wind capacity, including utility-scale PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), rooftop solar, and floating PV projects . The country is also integrating 1,500 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to enhance grid flexibility, dispatchability, and resilience, ensuring that off-grid and smart city systems can reliably manage variable renewable generation . Hybrid systems combined with smart grid technologies allow real-time energy management, predictive maintenance, and efficient load balancing, critical for smart city sustainability.

Conclusion

Morocco's approach to off-grid power systems for smart cities combines hybrid renewable energy systems, smart grid technologies, and supportive regulations. This integrated strategy enables decentralized energy production, efficient consumption, and high renewable penetration, positioning Morocco as a leader in sustainable urban energy solutions in Africa. These systems not only provide reliable electricity to off-grid areas but also empower citizens and businesses to actively participate in the energy transition.