GE Vernova’s Gas Power business (GE), the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), and Nareva, a Moroccan company specializing in independent power generation projects, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake a feasibility study aimed at decarbonizing ONEE’s Laâyoune Power Plant in Morocco.
The Laâyoune Power Plant, currently powered by three GE Vernova 6B heavy-duty gas turbines, is poised to become the first facility in Africa to utilize green hydrogen to fuel gas turbines. This collaboration reflects Morocco’s commitment to accelerating its energy transition towards a lower-carbon future, particularly in the power generation sector.
Under the agreement, ONEE, Nareva, and GE Vernova will conduct techno-economic evaluation studies to explore the conversion of the 99-megawatt Laâyoune Thermal Power Plant from heavy oil fuel to hydrogen. Initially, the focus will be on converting one gas turbine to operate on 100 percent hydrogen. The study, expected to span two years, will investigate an integrated solution encompassing the entire production value chain to supply 100 percent hydrogen to the gas turbine during peak demand periods. The results of the assessment will lay the groundwork for the full-scale integration of gas turbines with green hydrogen, aiming to achieve 100% decarbonization of the Laâyoune Power Plant.
The province of Laâyoune is witnessing rapid development in renewable energy projects, with growing interest in hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Morocco aims to increase its renewable electricity capacity from the current 40% to 52% by 2030.
Mr. Abderrahim El HAFIDI, CEO of ONEE, stated, “This first pilot project will help reduce carbon emissions of the plant and enable Morocco to advance its power sector decarbonization efforts.”
Mr. Aymane Taud, CEO of Nareva, emphasized the company’s commitment to leveraging its expertise in renewable power to contribute to Morocco’s energy objectives and continental decarbonization.
Joseph Anis, President & CEO for GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the potential of highly flexible gas turbines to complement renewable energy sources and stabilize the grid with reliable power supply.
The project signifies a significant step towards Morocco’s climate change commitments and its vision of integrating hydrogen into the national energy mix, reducing reliance on conventional power, and mitigating carbon emissions associated with power generation activities.
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