Morocco earmarks annually over us$ 130 mln to supply electricity to rural areas

Morocco earmarks annually more than 1.5 Billion DH (US$ 130.4 Mln) to supply electricity to rural areas, said industry, trade, energy and mining minister, Mustapha Mansouri.

The minister told the chamber of advisors (Moroccan upper chamber) 50% of Moroccan villages were connected to the national electricity grid. A new program was developed to supply electricity to 5,000 villages while another 1,110 villages will not be connected for lack of financial resources.

He explained that his department is looking for new financing sources to supply electricity to the remaining villages.

The Moroccan electricity office (ONE) has set at 2,500 DH (over US$ 200) the contribution of citizens to be connected to the electricity grid. The amount can be paid either cash or in monthly installments over 5 years.

ONE ambitions to reach a 80% coverage in 2006 and 100% in 2008.