Morocco recorded a historic peak in electricity consumption on June 30, driven largely by the widespread use of air conditioners amid an intense heatwave. The announcement was made on Monday by Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, during a session at the House of Representatives. Responding to a question on access to energy-efficient air conditioning, the minister noted that demand reached 7.9 gigawatts, marking a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. She warned that this pressure on the grid could intensify further in the coming days, as temperatures continue to rise. To address this growing challenge, Benali highlighted the joint decree signed in September 2024 with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The regulation sets minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners and introduces mandatory labeling, especially in urban areas. This initiative forms part of a broader framework to update building energy efficiency standards, which must be regularly revised in light of climate change. In rural and mountainous regions, the minister pointed to ongoing collaboration with the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE) to promote the use of traditional building materials, such as dry stone walls. These techniques help maintain indoor temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, even under extreme heat, offering a sustainable alternative for temperature regulation.
