The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has emerged as one of the fastest-growing electricity consumers since 2000,with demand tripling by 2024,according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Rising populations,urbanization,and industrialization have fueled this surge,prompting governments to accelerate diversification of their energy mixes.
The report highlights a regional pivot toward renewables,nuclear energy,and natural gas as alternatives to oil-fired generation. By 2035,the share of renewables in electricity production is expected to rise tenfold,while nuclear capacity is projected to triple. These changes are linked to climate challenges,including growing needs for desalination and cooling.
“Policy momentum is building across MENA to diversify electricity through low-emission sources,” the IEA said,noting that many governments have introduced new policies and targets to speed up the transition.
Morocco received specific recognition for its ambitious goals. The Kingdom aims to raise renewables to 52 percent of its electricity mix by 2030,alongside plans to boost desalination output by 1.7 billion cubic meters annually. The IEA praised these as ambitious yet achievable targets.
Overall,MENA’s electricity demand is expected to climb another 50 percent by 2035. With oil declining as a primary energy source,the region’s energy future will increasingly hinge on cleaner technologies. The shift,the report suggests,could position MENA as both a model of adaptation to climate realities and a key player in the global energy transition.
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