UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Major Groups

Submitting organization:

Affiliation:	- Business and industry

Initiative Title:	EDF, Tenesol, Total: Electrifying Rural Moroccan Households

Internet links:	http://www.wbcsd.org/includes/getTarget.asp?type=DocDet&id=15051

Scope:	National: - Morocco

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: End:

Lead Institution:	ONE (Morocco's National Electricity Office)

Stakeholders/Partners:	Moroccan National Electricity Office, Moroccan government, EDF, Total and Tenesol, Moroccan rural un-electrified communities, developers and producers of solar power

Relevent issues:	- Adaptation - Advanced energy technologies - Energy and rural development - Increasing access to energy for the poor - Innovative financing solutions and technology transfer - Industrial developments impact on poverty and social development - Corporate social responsibility

Objectives/Challenges:

• Provide affordable and sustainable rural electrification
• Improve rural local conditions to decrease rural-urban migration
• Develop rural economies
• Increase use of renewable energy

Policy Options:

• Foster public-private joint ventures in the provision of energy
• Provide Subsidies to ensure provision of low cost electricity to low income rural households
• Promoting the use of solar energy

Summary:

ONE, Morocco’s National Electricity Office, has developed a programme for the electrification of areas through solar power by a joint venture with EDF, Total and Tenesol. Its activities are based on the creation of small, locally-run companies that provide electricity, water, gas, and telephone services in rural areas in order to stimulate economic activity and contribute to wealth creation. In peri-urban areas, the programme aims to increase access and reduce poverty through adopted solutions, including demand-side management projects. In regions were housing is scattered it is impossible for the electricity grid to reach each individual house in a cost-effective way, but by using solar power the inhabitants of these regions can also enjoy the benefits of electricity. In order to generate its own electricity, each house is fitted with a solar home system in which the solar panel turns the sun’s rays into electricity that is stored in a solar battery that provides electricity at night, and stores enough power to last up to five days. The electronic controller automatically manages the charging and discharging of the battery. Fees are adapted to the budgets of the local households so that they pay approximately the same amount as was paid previously for candles, gas, batteries, or battery recharging. The fees are lower than the cost of the equipment and maintenance because ONE gives a grant for each installation in order to provide equal energy access opportunities to the Moroccan population. The provision of electricity has improved local conditions by fostering commerce and providing direct employment and high-level-in-house training in technical, quality and customer relations. The solar programme is now being extended to more than 110,000 households, making Morocco the world leader in the use of solar power for rural electrification.