Gas Stations in Morocco: Towards Mandatory Integration of Renewable Energies

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The fuel distribution sector in the Kingdom is making a strategic shift towards sustainability. As part of national guidelines aimed at decarbonization and energy efficiency, the construction and operation of refueling stations are now subject to enhanced requirements. The clear objective set by government authorities is to align road infrastructures with the imperatives of the global energy transition while cleaning up spatial competition among operators.

Solar energy at the heart of future installations

The major transformation concerns the carbon footprint of new stations. From now on, the granting of a creation permit is conditional upon the prior integration of renewable energy-based electricity supply solutions. Project holders must demonstrate, from the design phase, their ability to meet their energy needs through self-produced photovoltaic systems or by entering into contracts for the purchase of green electricity.

This transition is subject to strict monitoring: a specialized body, comprising experts from the departments of hydrocarbons and renewable energies, is tasked with evaluating the feasibility and technical compliance of each submitted file.

Calculation rules and competition regulation

In addition to the environmental aspect, the reform clarifies the geographical criteria governing network density. The distance conditions between two establishments have been harmonized to ensure a balanced coverage of the territory:

In urban areas: The minimum distance separating two establishments is now measured between the central axes of their respective facades, considering the shortest route in both directions.
Outside urban areas: A similar methodology applies, but the comparison is specifically made against already operating stations under the same commercial brand.

A digitized and time-bound administrative procedure

To modernize file management, all procedures are now carried out through a dedicated digital platform. This system aims to provide more transparency and predictability to investors.

Once the authorization file is submitted and validated as complete, the administration has a legal deadline of 30 days to deliver its ruling. In case of missing documents or non-compliance, a motivated notification is sent to the applicant, who in turn has a period of 30 days to regularize their request. This structured framework aims to sustainably modernize the national oil landscape.