Solar projects to reinforce Moroccan grid

OUARZAZATE, MOROCCO - Morocco's energy shortfall jumped from 95.5 in 2008 to 96 in 2009, and 96.5 in 2010. The shortfall is attributed to huge infrastructure projects, population growth and a boom in the tourism sector.

To help meet the growing demand, the Moroccan government plans to triple the country's electricity output by 2020.

In October, Amina Benkhadra, Morocco's Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, signed conventions that secure state support for the establishment of an integrated solar electric power system. The minister unveiled Morocco's new energy strategy, which aims to build a diversified and balanced energy sector in which renewable energy occupies a significant place.

While the only existing interconnection between Europe and Africa is through Spain and Morocco, the Moroccan electricity sector is looking to exploit its renewable potential solar and wind to meet local demand and export surplus power to Europe by doubling the carrying capacity of the existing underwater cable between the two countries from 600 megawatts MW to 1,200 MW.

Morocco plans to construct 2,000 MW of solar projects, including a 500-MW solar power plant in the Ouarzazate area, which has an area of 2,500 hectares and 2,635 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year solar radiation.

This project is expected to produce 1,150 gigawatt-hours via four phases. The facility will use concentrated solar power technology. This project will be commissioned in 2015.

Morocco's energy demand growth rate is between 5 and 7.5 per year. The country's electricity consumption will double by 2020, and quadruple by 2030. To meet this ever-growing demand, Morocco's electricity utility, Office National d'Electricité ONE, will reinforce the generation system to reach 4,820 MW by 2015, with a 36 renewable energy share.

In 2009, ONE boosted the country's electrical grid by investing $812 million in production, transmission and distribution of electric power and the rural electrification program.

Related News

cairo at night

Egypt, Eni ink MoU on hydrogen production projects

CAIRO - The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Italian energy giant Eni to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of green and blue hydrogen production projects in Egypt.

Under the MoU, a study will be conducted to assess joint projects for the production of green hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable energy and blue hydrogen using the storage of CO2 in depleted natural gas fields, according to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum on Thursday.

The study will also estimate the potential local market consumption…

READ MORE
dutch wind turbines

Dutch produce more green electricity but target still a long way off

READ MORE

dubai energy meeting

Dubai Planning Large-Scale Solar Powered Hydrogen Production

READ MORE

florida lineman

Florida Court Blocks Push to Break Electricity Monopolies

READ MORE

Germany should stop lecturing France on nuclear power, says Eon boss

READ MORE