Marrakech Airshow 2024: Airbus and Morocco to Strengthen Partnership in Sustainable Aviation

Highlights

• Marrakech Air Show highlighted Morocco’s commitment to sustainable aviation.
• Airbus expressed strong support for hydrogen as a key component of aviation’s decarbonization efforts.
• The “Chbika” project aims to establish a large-scale green hydrogen production hub in Morocco.
• TotalEnergies plans to leverage solar and wind power to generate green hydrogen.
• Airbus and Morocco are poised to strengthen their partnership in the field of sustainable aviation.

The 7th edition of the Marrakech Air Show, held from October 30 to November 2, 2024, in Morocco, showcased cutting-edge aviation technology while highlighting the nation’s commitment to sustainable aviation.

Airbus Embraces Morocco’s Green Vision

Airbus expressed strong support for hydrogen as a key component of the aviation industry’s sustainability strategy. This comes on the heels of a significant agreement signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco.

The agreement involves the Moroccan government and TE H2, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and EREN Group. It paves the way for the “Chbika” project, a pioneering initiative aiming to establish a large-scale green hydrogen production hub in Morocco.

TotalEnergies outlined that the project (located near the Atlantic coast) will leverage 1 GW of onshore solar and wind power to generate green hydrogen through electrolysis of desalinated seawater.

Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President (EVP) of International at Airbus, echoed this sentiment, stating, “At Airbus, we are ready to write the exciting next chapter of a unique partnership” with Morocco. He praised the Kingdom’s vision of becoming a green hydrogen leader, aligning perfectly with Airbus’ sustainability ambitions.

“Morocco also has so much potential in contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting decarbonisation.”