Local populations are becoming dependent on imported fossil fuels as Europe is exploiting North African renewables, especially in Morocco and Egypt, to further their own green transition. This is an example of green colonialism, in which North African countries bear the financial and environmental costs of clean energy while Europe externalizes the advantages.

Europe Exploiting North African Renewables: Investment in Regional Energy

Egypt and Morocco are both using their advantageous geographic positions and wealth of wind and solar energy to establish themselves as major European energy providers. European investments in renewable energy projects in these nations have increased dramatically in recent years:

• Morocco: A green hydrogen and ammonia plant in Guelmim-Oued Noun, in which TotalEnergies has invested $10.6 billion, is expected to start producing energy in 2027. Germany has invested up to €300 million in green hydrogen projects targeting export markets.
• Egypt: Multibillion-dollar renewable energy projects, especially in green hydrogen, have been initiated by European corporations, including BP, Siemens Gamesa, and EDF, mostly for export.

Despite being presented as mutually beneficial, these projects primarily serve the energy demands of Europe rather than assisting Morocco and Egypt in becoming energy-independent.

The “Green Energy” Paradox: Exporting Clean Energy, Importing Fossil Fuels

Morocco and Egypt’s economies still rely significantly on fossil fuels, even though they are home to sizable renewable energy installations. Both nations still import significant amounts of gas and oil rather than using their clean energy resources.

• Morocco: The country still imports coal to power its domestic electrical infrastructure, and the majority of its solar and wind energy is allocated for use in Europe.
• Egypt: To free up more natural gas for export to Europe, the government is turning increasingly to mazut, a heavy fuel oil that is extremely polluting.

This agreement undermines North African nations’ capacity to make their own transition to renewable energy while bolstering European energy security. Europe exploiting North African renewables has resulted in a paradox where clean energy is exported, yet local populations remain dependent on fossil fuels.

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Environmental and Social Costs of European Investments

There are serious socio-environmental repercussions from Morocco and Egypt’s extensive growth of renewable energy projects:

• Water Scarcity: Green hydrogen projects contribute to North Africa’s already severe water crisis by requiring massive amounts of water for electrolysis.
• Land Dispossession: Growing wind and solar farms frequently lead to land purchases that force locals to relocate, especially in rural and indigenous areas.
• Limited Economic Gains: Although foreign investors make money, local residents only see modest economic improvements. For instance, only 60 permanent jobs were created during the construction of Morocco’s Noor Solar Complex, one of the biggest in the world, while 1,000 temporary jobs were created.

These initiatives are an extension of extractivist economic strategies, where European economies profit while local communities pay the social and environmental costs. Europe exploiting North African renewables continues to reinforce this unequal dynamic.

Green Colonialism: Reinforcing Neocolonial Dependency

Historical resource extraction trends are reflected in the European approach to North African renewables. These investments strengthen economic ties that maintain Morocco and Egypt as Europe’s suppliers of energy and raw materials rather than promoting energy self-sufficiency.

In previous decades, international financial institutions enforced Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) that compelled Morocco and Egypt to put exports ahead of domestic growth. This legacy persists in the energy industry today, where local residents continue to face energy insecurity while European interests influence investment decisions.

Additionally, European energy firms are increasing the extraction of fossil fuels in North Africa alongside investing in renewable energy. European companies made billions of dollars worth of investments in Egyptian gas projects when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupted European gas supplies, putting their own energy needs ahead of those of the Egyptian people, who were left to cope with pollution, land degradation, and energy shortages.

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A Call for a Just Energy Transition

North African nations must put their domestic use of renewable energy resources ahead of European exports if they want to escape this extractivist cycle. A just energy transition ought to consist of:

• Local, Decentralized Renewable Energy Initiatives: Small-scale wind and solar installations should empower local populations instead of massive, foreign-controlled infrastructure.
• Investing in Domestic Energy Infrastructure: Rather than concentrating on increasing energy exports to Europe, governments should work to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Strong Local Benefit-sharing Systems: European investments ought to incorporate mandates for community ownership, local employment creation, and reinvestment in sustainable development.

Instead of shifting socio-environmental costs to the Global South, Europe must reduce its energy use and speed up domestic renewable development as part of its responsibility.

Final Words

Europe exploiting North African renewables exposes a more serious problem of environmental injustice, even as it boasts about its green transformation. While Europe achieves a greener energy future at the expense of local inhabitants, the existing system leaves them with pollution, land dispossession, and energy instability. Equitable energy distribution must be at the heart of a just transition, giving North African communities’ needs precedence over colonial resource extraction practices.

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