HM the King enquires about progress of first phase of Oujda's technology park

Oujda - HM King Mohammed VI enquired, on Tuesday in Oujda, about the progress of the first phase of Oujda's technology park, whose in site development works were achieved for a total cost of 255 million dirhams.

-    Eleven projects, worth 106 million dirhams, were retained, as part of the marketing of the first phase.

-    The Sovereign laid the foundation stone of Oujda Shore, to be achieved for a total cost of 180 million dirhams.

Stretching over an area of 107 hectares, the first phase includes a space for equipment manufacturers operating in industries linked to clean technology notably renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as areas devoted to small and medium-sized enterprises, logistics, a retail park, an offshore zone and green spaces.

The out site works, whose progress stands between 90 and 100%, concern the drainage of rainwater and the linking of the zone to the water purification plant and the water supply network.

Eleven projects, worth 106 million dirhams, were retained following the launch of the marketing of the first phase. They are related to metal industry, food processing industry and services and will generate over 570 direct jobs.

On this occasion, details were provided to the Sovereign on the clean technology project, which aims to boost sustainable development in the Oriental region and promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

HM the King also handed allotment certificate to the first investors in the technology park in the area devoted to the small and medium-sized enterprises.

On the same occasion, the Monarch laid the foundation stone of an offshore center dubbed “Oujda Shore”, to be completed for a total cost of 180 million dirhams.

Spanning over an area of 22,500 square meters, the projects provides for the construction of offices, a business center, one stop office, a vocational training center,  a restaurant area with a 400 seat-capacity, a crèche, a medical center, sports facilities as well as shops and bank agencies.

The first phase of the project, worth 60 million dirhams, will be built over an area of 7.500 square meters and will be completed in 18 months.

HM the King chairs opening ceremony of second meeting on energy in Oujda

Oujda - HM King Mohammed VI presided, on Tuesday in Oujda, the opening ceremony of the second national meeting on energy, held under the theme "Green Energy, a lever for Morocco".

- The Sovereign presides over the signing ceremony of five agreements on renewable energy development.

- A new power of 3,640 MW will be set up, worth 73 billion dirhams ($ 9.2 billion).

    During this ceremony, a video was screened featuring the progress made in the various large-scale projects, launched as part of the national energy strategy that was adopted in March 2009.

    Afterwards, Energy, Mining, Water and Environment Minister Amina Benkhadra presented before HM the King the achievements and the prospects of completion of programs that are part of the national energy strategy.

     The strategy aims at guarantying Morocco’s supply in terms of energy, its availability and accessibility at a reasonable price, rationalizing its use and preserving the environment.

    Referring to the short-term projects (2008-2012), the Minister said that several realizations were made as part of the national plan of priority actions (PNAP), which is meant to strengthen electrical supply, noting that during the same period, 1,756 MW of new power and several power redevelopment projects would be set up for a total cost of 24 billion dirhams.

    Regarding the 2013-2015 period, Benkhadra announced that new power plants will start operation, saying that Jorf Lasfar clean coal power plant will be expended, another clean coal power plant will be built in Safi, and Ouarzazate solar power station (500 MW) will be set up.

    The Minister also announced, among others, the construction of several wind parks (570 MW) and two hydro-electric projects.     

    She added that by the end of 2015, a new power of 3,640 MW will be set up, worth 73 billion dirhams.
 
    By the completion, in 2020, of programs to be implemented as part of the national energy strategy, 42% of the installed power generation capacity will be renewable, the Minister recalled, adding that all of the additional power created from all sources during the period 2008-2020 will be of 9,246 MW.

    Thanks to the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency development plans, some 50,000 permanent direct jobs will be created by 2020, Benkhadra said.

    On this occasion, HM the King presided over the signing ceremony of five agreements. The first concerns the creation of the Institute of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Skills.

    The second agreement provides for supporting industrial investment in the sectors of renewable energy and energy efficiency  

    A framework agreement on cooperation in the fields of research and development of photovoltaics was also signed.

    The fourth agreement is aimed at strengthening and expanding "Abdelkhaleq Tores" Wind Park in Tangier, while the fifth agreement concerns the common configuration of solar energy projects.

    HM the King also decorated several personalities for their valuable contribution to the implementation of Morocco’s energy strategy.

    The second meeting on energy is an important event that confirms Morocco’s commitment to promoting green energy as an essential factor to promote sustainable development and preserve the environment.

HM the King sends message to Arab League Secretary General
Cairo - HM King Mohammed VI sent, on Tuesday, a written message to the Arab League's Secretary General, Amr Moussa.
The message was handed, in Cairo, by Morocco’s Ambassador to Egypt.

In the message, HM the King commends the efforts undertaken by the Arab League’s Secretary General to reinforce common Arab action at the regional and international levels.