Morocco Set To Award First Power Plant Contract In 2GW Solar Program
Morocco’s solar energy agency Masen is expected to award a $500mn contract to build a 160mw solar power plant near the southern city of Ouarzazate this month. This will be first contract in the $9bn Moroccan Solar Plan, which aims to provide 2gw – 38% of current installed power generation capacity – by 2020. Hydrocarbon-poor Morocco’s electricity demand is rising 7% each year, pressuring a growing trade deficit, which is part is due to heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports. Morocco also aims to export renewable electricity to the European Union. The plan includes five power stations, including Ouarzazate. In May, Masen’s President Mustafa Bakkoury said the agency aims to complete a 500mw solar energy complex in Ouarzazate by 2015. A consortium led by Saudi International Company for Water and Power (ACWA) is reportedly a front-runner to win the first plant contract.
Copyright MEES 2012.
