Geothermal Resource Development in the East African Rift Valley: A Moroccan Perspective

Geothermal energy is a sustainable renewable resource that can play a significant role in Morocco's energy mix, particularly within the East African Rift Valley (EARS). The Moroccan government has identified geothermal as an important sector for future energy security and climate change mitigation. A comprehensive review of existing literature on geothermal energy in Morocco was conducted, supplemented by interviews with key stakeholders including government officials and industry experts. A probabilistic model was used to estimate the potential resource base and economic viability. The analysis revealed a significant proportion (20%) of undiscovered geothermal resources within the EARS region, which could contribute up to 15% of Morocco's electricity generation by under favorable conditions. Technical challenges related to water management are highlighted as key uncertainties. Morocco has substantial untapped geothermal potential in the EARS, with a promising outlook for future development if appropriate policies and technological advancements are implemented. Develop robust regulatory frameworks, invest in research and development of advanced drilling technologies, and establish partnerships between public and private sectors to accelerate geothermal exploration and exploitation. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.