Setting Up Utilities in Morocco
Who provides utilities in Morocco
Electricity and water in Morocco are supplied either directly by the national utility ONEE (Office National de l'Electricite et de l'Eau Potable) or through regional concession companies. In Casablanca the distributor is Lydec, in Rabat it is Redal, and other cities have their own regies or operators.
These companies handle metering, billing and connections for both electricity and water, so in most cities you deal with a single local distributor for both services.
Setting up electricity and water
To open or transfer an account, you typically need your passport or residence card, your rental contract, and to pay a connection fee and deposit. If the property already has an account, you transfer it into your name; if utilities are included in rent, your landlord may keep the account.
Visit the distributor's agency or use their online portal where available. Activation is usually quick if the meter is already installed; new connections take longer.
Cooking gas and butane bottles
Most Moroccan homes cook with butane gas from refillable bottles rather than piped gas. The blue bottles are sold and refilled at countless shops, and delivery to your door is common and cheap. Many people keep a spare so they never run out.
Connect the bottle to your stove with a regulator and hose, which can be bought at hardware shops. If you are unsure, ask the seller or your landlord to demonstrate the safe setup.
Billing and payments
Utility bills arrive monthly or bi-monthly and can be paid at the distributor's offices, banks, post offices, authorised kiosks, ATMs and increasingly through apps and online portals. Keep proof of payment, especially when starting out.
Some properties, particularly in newer buildings, use prepaid electricity meters where you buy credit in advance. This avoids surprise bills and is popular with short-term tenants and landlords renting to foreigners.
Costs and consumption
Electricity and water are billed on tiered tariffs, so higher consumption is charged at higher rates, which encourages efficiency. Air conditioning and electric water heaters are the biggest drivers of high bills.
Water is metered and generally affordable. Many homes use solar or gas water heaters to cut costs. Budget more in summer if you run air conditioning heavily.
Tips for new arrivals
Clarify with your landlord which utilities are in your name and which are included in rent before signing. For furnished rentals aimed at expats, all-inclusive arrangements are common and simpler.
Note your meter readings at move-in to avoid disputes, keep a spare gas bottle, and save the distributor's contact details for outages, which can occur during heatwaves or storms.
| Utility | Typical provider | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ONEE / Lydec / Redal | ID, lease, deposit, connection fee |
| Water | ONEE / Lydec / Redal | ID, lease, deposit |
| Cooking gas | Butane bottle sellers | Bottle, regulator, hose |
| Internet | Maroc Telecom / Orange / inwi | ID, proof of address |
Utility providers and setup essentials
FAQ
Who supplies electricity and water in Morocco?
The national utility ONEE supplies many areas, while local distributors handle major cities, such as Lydec in Casablanca and Redal in Rabat. You usually deal with one local company for both electricity and water.
How do Moroccan homes get cooking gas?
Most homes use refillable blue butane gas bottles connected to the stove via a regulator and hose. They are sold and delivered cheaply almost everywhere, and many households keep a spare bottle.
What documents do I need to set up utilities in Morocco?
Typically your passport or residence card, your rental contract, and payment of a deposit and connection fee. If utilities stay in the landlord's name, you may not need to open accounts yourself.
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