What's happened
Morocco claims it can supply 50% of Europe's electricity via solar and wind, but faces technical and geopolitical hurdles. Meanwhile, Africa and Iraq are rapidly increasing solar capacity to address energy shortages, driven by Chinese imports and large-scale projects, despite economic and infrastructural challenges.
What's behind the headline?
Morocco's renewable ambitions are ambitious but overly optimistic. While the country boasts vast solar and wind resources, its current capacity of 42 TWh is a fraction of the 1,600 TWh it claims to potentially generate. The technical and geopolitical barriers—such as the need for unprecedented infrastructure investment and Europe's preference to utilize its own renewable resources first—make reliance on Morocco for half of Europe's power unlikely. The history of projects like Desertec highlights the risks of cost and political instability undermining such plans.
Meanwhile, Africa's solar capacity is expanding rapidly, primarily through Chinese-made panels. The record imports, driven by the need for reliable power and declining costs, are transforming energy access in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Algeria. However, the continent still faces significant challenges in providing affordable, reliable electricity at scale.
In Iraq, large-scale solar projects are a strategic response to persistent electricity shortages. The country is implementing multiple projects with a combined capacity of over 12,500 MW, which could supply up to 20% of demand. Yet, reliance on Iranian gas and imports from Iran remains a geopolitical risk, especially under U.S. sanctions. Despite wealth in oil and gas, Iraq's infrastructure deficits and mismanagement continue to hinder consistent power supply, making solar a vital but still developing solution.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports Morocco's claim of being able to supply 50% of Europe's electricity through renewables, but experts highlight significant technical and geopolitical hurdles. Bloomberg notes a slowdown in China's domestic solar capacity additions, indicating a potential shift in global supply dynamics. The South China Morning Post and AP News detail Africa's rapid increase in solar imports from China, driven by the continent's urgent need for reliable power amid infrastructure deficits. Meanwhile, multiple sources including Al Jazeera, The New Arab, and AP News describe Iraq's large-scale solar projects, emphasizing their role in addressing chronic electricity shortages despite ongoing reliance on Iranian gas and the complications of U.S. sanctions. The contrasting perspectives underscore the gap between ambitious renewable claims and the practical realities of infrastructure, geopolitics, and economic constraints.
How we got here
Morocco has long promoted its renewable energy potential, especially through projects like Noor Ouarzazate. The country’s claims of supplying half of Europe’s power are based on its vast solar and wind resources, but current capacity remains far below the claimed potential. Africa's solar imports from China surged in 2025, driven by the continent's need for reliable power amid infrastructure deficits. Iraq, despite its oil wealth, faces chronic electricity shortages due to war, corruption, and mismanagement, prompting large-scale solar projects to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on Iranian gas and imports from Iran, which are subject to U.S. sanctions.
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