Biohydrogen and Energy Resilience in Moroccan Oases: A Sustainable Strategy in Support of Economic Interest Groupings (EIGs) and Territorial Transition

In response to the increasing vulnerability of Moroccan oases—marked by water stress, energy insecurity, and fragmented governance—this study explores the feasibility of a territorial biohydrogen sector based on agricultural residues (date palm, alfalfa) in the Drâa-Tafilalet region. Using the integrated Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus approach, it proposes a sustainable strategy combining technological innovation, socio-economic inclusion, and environmental resilience. Based on a qualitative methodology that includes bioenergy process analysis, territorial modeling, and surveys of 12 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs), the study reveals an energy potential capable of covering up to 40% of the annual electricity needs of local farms. It aims to demonstrate the viability of agricultural decarbonization through biohydrogen and to enhance the energy resilience of EIGs. By transforming oases into living laboratories for a just transition, the project aligns fully with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides a replicable territorial framework for sustainable innovation in vulnerable and arid regions.