After years of delays, Noor Midelt I is finally entering its construction phase. A China Energy consortium will build this extensively redesigned Moroccan plant, which will now combine 630 megawatts of photovoltaic solar power with a gigantic battery system.
Morocco could achieve its target of raising renewable energy to 52 % of its installed electricity capacity two years ahead of schedule. The IEA PVPS now estimates that this threshold, set for 2030, could be reached as early as 2028.
While Morocco aims to produce 52% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 compared to 37.6% currently, mainly through investments in solar and wind power plants, the construction of the Noor Midelt I power plant is experiencing huge delays.
King Mohammed VI chaired on Tuesday at the Royal Cabinet in Rabat a working session on the progress of the renewable energy development program and the new prospects in this field.
76% of electricity exchanges between the two countries are provided by the Kingdom. According to data from the semi-public Spanish operator, Red electrica de España, Morocco has become Spain’s main supplier of electricity.
The results of the international call for tenders for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Noor Midelt I project are known. This solar project was finally awarded to the consortium led by EDF Renewables (France) and composed of Masdar (United Arab Emirates) and Green of Africa (Morocco), announces the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN).
A loan of 50 million euros has just been granted by the German Development Bank (KfW) to the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) to finance the connection of the Noor Midelt solar complex to the high-voltage national grid.