The US Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to support Morocoo’s first smart-grid deployment.

The funding is going to Radeema (Régie Autonome de Distribution d’Eau et d’Electricité de Marrakech), Marrakech’s electricity and water utility, for a feasibility study to transform the power distribution infrastructure in Marrakech into a smart grid.

The project is the first of its kind in Morocco and will serve as a model for other Moroccan cities. Washington, DC-based Africa Climate Solutions will perform the study.

“USTDA is partnering with Radeema and like-minded utilities around the globe to lay the foundation for a clean energy future,” said Enoh Ebong, USTDA’s director. “Smart grids are an important component of USTDA’s climate-smart infrastructure portfolio. They improve power sector efficiency and facilitate the integration of renewable sources of power, including rooftop solar, into the grid. Our support for this activity reflects USTDA’s commitment to advancing smart and sustainable energy in partnership with overseas partners and US industry.”

USTDA’s study will define the technical, economic and regulatory framework for the proposed project and develop an implementation plan to guide the deployment of smart grid infrastructure in Marrakech. The project will help reduce technical and non-technical losses and the frequency and duration of power outages in Marrakech and support the integration of renewable energy sources into its grid.

“We are honoured to be the recipient of USTDA’s grant for the smart grid feasibility study,” said Nadia el-Hilali, general manager of Radeema. “Thanks to this project, Radeema will contribute to achieving the objectives of our national energy strategy to integrate renewable energy while reducing losses on the network.”

Lawrence Randolph, chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Morocco, added: “This project is a great example of the value that US government expertise can bring by connecting American companies with Moroccan partners to further support Morocco’s ambitious clean energy goals. We are pleased to support this project with our colleagues at USTDA.”

This activity supports the US government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure & Investment and USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, which connects US industry to major clean transport and energy infrastructure projects in emerging markets.

USTDA helps companies create US jobs through the export of US goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links US businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.