Morocco steps up solar power drive to meet 2030 target

Morocco is intensifying investment in solar power in the hope of hitting a target to raise the use of renewables in its energy mix to more than half.

The country has set a target of 52 percent renewables by 2030 after achieving previous

targets, local media reported.

Newspapers said on Friday that hydrocarbon-poor Morocco has approved two new solar power plants with a combined generation capacity of 400 megawatts (MW) in addition to a 100MW battery-run power storage facility.

One plant is to be built in the city of Khouribga and another in Ben Guerir city in central Morocco, the Arabic language daily Sabah Agadir said.

It quoted government sources as saying the two new projects will be partially financed through a $106 million loan provided by the Washington-based International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank group.

Last week, officials said the country intends to invite bids for three new gas turbine power plants with a combined output capacity of 300-450MW.

One project is located in Kenitra, an industrial hub on the Atlantic, while the second will be built in Mohammedia, also on the coast, and the third at Ain Bani Mathar near the border with Algeria.

Morocco is also planning to invite bids for a giant power storage facility with a capacity of nearly 1,600MW, the officials said.

The facility, which will use batteries, will supply power to Kenitra and nearby areas.

Leila Benali, Morocco’s minister of energy transition and sustainable development, said last year that renewable capacity was 5,304MW, accounting for about 44 percent of total power generation of 11,980MW.