Solar projects to reinforce Moroccan grid

Morocco Renewable Energy Strategy targets tripled electricity output, 2,000 MW solar, wind farms, CSP at Ouarzazate, grid reinforcement, and Spain-Morocco interconnection upgrades to 1,200 MW to meet demand and export surplus to Europe.

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 power initiative across the country. 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 in solar and wind farms 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 across the country, 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, after bids for the solar station are awarded.

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'Électricité ONE, will reinforce the generation system to reach 4,820 MW by 2015, with a 36 renewable energy share, aligning with a 10 percent renewables target set for 2012.

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

• Electricity Forum News

• Renewable Energy News