Impact of COVID-19 on Electricity Consumption and Renewable Energy Integration in Morocco: An Overview of Challenges and Future Prospects

¹ Laboratory of Electrical Engineering and Maintenance, Mohammed 1st University, High School of Technology, Oujda, Morocco
² Laboratory of Materials, Waves, Energy and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, 60000 Oujda, Morocco
³ LPTPME, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
⁴ Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation Laboratory / Natural Resource Engineering and Environmental Impacts Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga BP 145, Khouribga, Morocco
⁵ Mohammed First University, Faculty of Science, Laboratory for Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology and Environment (LAPABE)/Water, Environment and Health Team, 717 60000, BV M6, Oujda, Morocco

^* Corresponding author (email): saida.karmich@gmail.com

Abstract

Electricity in modern life constitutes one of the most evident actors of potential forthcoming changes in energy consumption revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With increasing reliance on new technologies, energy consumption, especially in the form of electricity, is on the rise, with wind and solar energy becoming central to this transition in Europe and Morocco. The aim of the study is to focus on integrating the impacts of COVID-19 on the electricity consumption pattern and the incorporation of renewable energy resources into the electricity grid in Morocco. The health crisis has impacted electricity systems whereby demand has dropped drastically through the imposition of containment measures. Notwithstanding, there are pointers in demand consumption toward economic activities. The electricity network operators regard uninterrupted electricity supply across this health crisis as paramount, with renewable energies being a key contributor to uninterrupted supply. Within this context, high electricity security becomes critical, thereby calling for increasingly robust and flexible resources for reliable service delivery.