Name of the Project
Ifahsa pumped hydropower storage project.

Location
Near Chefchaouen, Morocco.

Project Owner/s
Implementing agency Office National de l’Électricité et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE), and supervisory ministry for ONEE Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.

Project Description
The project will serve as a giant rechargeable battery for the national electricity grid. The 300 MW facility will enable Morocco to integrate at least 1 GW of additional solar and wind energy into its national grid, helping unlock an estimated $1-billion in private investment. In so doing, it will replace about 3 TWh/y of electricity currently generated from fossil fuels – preventing the emission of about 1.7-million tons of CO₂ emissions a year.

According to the most recent update, the pumped hydropower plant will feature two reversible pump-turbine units of 150 MW each, operating with a maximum flow of 44 m³/s in turbine mode and 37 m³/s in pumping mode.

During off-peak hours, the plant will use dispatched renewable electricity from the grid to pump water from the lower to the upper reservoir. The pumped hydropower storage plant will be connected by 400 kV transmission to the national grid.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to generate 820 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction period and 44 full-time employees during operation.

Capital Expenditure
$500-million. The World Bank Board of Directors approved $265-million in July 2026 to support the development of the project.

Planned Start/End Date
Not confirmed.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
ONEE, Youssef Sahim, email sahim@onee.ma.