While in Paris for the World Nuclear Energy Summit on March 10, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch discussed the potential of civil nuclear power, as well as Morocco’s desire to integrate it into its energy mix. Ultimately, this nearly carbon-free—yet controversial—energy source could thus support the development of renewable energy.

This stated ambition still faces several structural obstacles. According to experts, Morocco lacks the technology, skills, and know-how to become a major player in the sector. Above all, “nuclear energy can only be deployed in Morocco once safety and security conditions are met,”  insists Saïd Mouline, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR), in an interview with TelQuel.

The Role of AMSSNuR

Established in 2016, this agency oversees all activities related to ionizing radiation—the radiation present in our environment, from the sun to rocks, that transforms atoms into ions—including nuclear radiation. As an independent authority under state supervision, “AMSSNuR’s mission is to protect people and the environment from the risks associated with exposure to sources of ionizing radiation,” explains Saïd Mouline. From a regulatory standpoint, the adoption of Law No. 142-12 in 2014 represents the most significant step forward.  “This has enabled the gradual development of a much more mature institutional and legal framework,” the expert continues.

As such, the AMSSNuR regulates and monitors all activities involving ionizing radiation by “developing rules, reviewing applications, issuing permits, inspecting facilities and activities, and verifying compliance with nuclear and radiological safety and security requirements,” he explains.

The agency operates in the medical, industrial, and research sectors, as well as, where applicable, the nuclear energy sector. He adds that in recent years, the use of nuclear technology in the healthcare sector has grown significantly, while the “energy sector has not seen any major advances.”

In accordance with IAEA standards

While the energy project is delayed, the regulatory framework is already in place. These conditions stem primarily from the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an organization under the auspices of the UN, supplemented by treaty obligations and lessons learned from peer reviews, Saïd Mouline emphasizes.

As the industry’s definitive authority, the IAEA sets the safety standards from which all licensing procedures for nuclear facilities are derived . “This is a gradual and sequential process that begins with the selection of technology and site, followed by construction, commissioning, and operation, and continues through final shutdown, decommissioning, and dismantling,” explains Saïd Mouline. At each stage, risks related to the facility’s safety are assessed to demonstrate that the facility complies with legal and regulatory requirements, he continues.

Morocco has also increased its international commitments. In 2015, an initial IAEA mission assessed the kingdom’s readiness for potential nuclear power infrastructure. Two additional missions, in 2022 and 2023, focused on emergency management and the maturity of the legislative framework regarding nuclear and radiological safety.

However, it will still be many years before any facilities are built. In a previous article, engineer and nuclear development expert Anwar Ouazzani-Chahdi suggested that the project might become a reality around 2035—a timeline that the IAEA, however, appears to be pushing back: According to its “Milestones Approach” methodology, it takes about fifteen years from the political decision to the production of the first kWh of nuclear power.

“This timeline could be shortened for SMRs (small modular reactors, ed.), if the announcements made by certain manufacturers come to fruition,” Saïd Mouline notes, however. Regarding these reactors, he confirms that, overall, SMRs could offer an advantage in terms of safety, particularly thanks to adjustable power output, theoretically more flexible siting, and more standardized manufacturing.

The Challenge of human capital

Nevertheless, many challenges remain. Regulations alone are not enough—governance must keep pace. “A civil nuclear program requires exemplary, stable, and coordinated governance among the various national stakeholders,” asserts our interviewee, who also highlights another crucial area: the development of human capital. This is a major challenge, given the highly specialized skills required: safety, engineering, operations, maintenance, and radioactive waste management.

In this regard, Morocco is relying on international cooperation. As for AMSSNuR, the authority has established the African School for Radiation Safety Authorities in partnership with the IAEA, which also enables Morocco to play a role on a continental scale. “International partnerships are a key driver of capacity building. In particular, they allow us to access expertise, benefit from specialized training, and compare our practices with those of other regulatory authorities, among other things, ” continues Saïd Mouline. According to him, this momentum must continue to expand in order to enrich training practices through engagement with other countries.

Raising awareness: the way forward

Another challenge, for which international cooperation can serve as a key driver, according to Saïd Mouline, is public acceptance and understanding of this energy source. He notes the importance of understanding ionizing radiation and its risks, explaining how they are managed to ensure they are acceptable from a safety and security perspective.

“This educational outreach effort must begin well before the launch of any potential nuclear power project. Andthe best response to public concern is transparency, education, and the credibility of institutions,” he says. Safety mechanisms, controls, and inspections must be explained, and a clear distinction must be made between medical, industrial, research, and electricity-generation applications.

Public perception of this energy source thus plays a major role in its acceptance by the population, and the guarantee of controlled safety remains the primary condition for the potential development of civil nuclear power. “The challenge is not just building the facilities; it is continuously demonstrating control over safety and security risks throughout the entire life cycle of nuclear facilities,” summarizes Saïd Mouline.

Written in French by Salomé Krumenacher; edited in English by AngloMedia Group.