ACWA will build a Concentrated Solar Thermal Power parabolic trough plant with a capacity of 160 MW and three hours of thermal storage. The construction of the plant began in May 2013 and is expected to enter into operation by 2015. Recently, MASEN launched the request the request for qualification process to develop the next Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) phase of the Ouarzazate solar power complex, which includes CSP plants with an aggregate capacity of 300 MW. This phase is divided into two separate projects: 1) a CSP tower project with a contemplated capacity of around 100 MW, and 2) a CSP parabolic trough project with a contemplated capacity of around 200 MW. Storage is contemplated for both projects. The deadline to submit applications was March 25, 2013. Morocco is dependent on outside sources for 97% of its energy supply, mainly coal and oil. In order to conciliate between the imperatives of this dependence on foreign supplies, growing energy demand and the requirements of environmental preservation, the national energy strategy of Morocco has set a target of 42% of its total electric production being supplied by renewable energies by 2020. This plan includes a Solar Program involving the construction of 2 GW of solar energy by 2020. The Moroccan Solar Plan is being piloted by the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), an agency created in 2010.
Evwind, Other renewables

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in Morocco

ACWA will build a Concentrated Solar Thermal Power parabolic trough plant with a capacity of 160 MW and three hours of thermal storage.

ACWA will build a Concentrated Solar Thermal Power parabolic trough plant with a capacity of 160 MW and three hours of thermal storage. The construction of the plant began in May 2013 and is expected to enter into operation by 2015.

Recently, MASEN launched the request the request for qualification process to develop the next Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) phase of the Ouarzazate solar power complex, which includes CSP plants with an aggregate capacity of 300 MW. This phase is divided into two separate projects: 1) a CSP tower project with a contemplated capacity of around 100 MW, and 2) a CSP parabolic trough project with a contemplated capacity of around 200 MW. Storage is contemplated for both projects. The deadline to submit applications was March 25, 2013.

Morocco is dependent on outside sources for 97% of its energy supply, mainly coal and oil. In order to conciliate between the imperatives of this dependence on foreign supplies, growing energy demand and the requirements of environmental preservation, the national energy strategy of Morocco has set a target of 42% of its total electric production being supplied by renewable energies by 2020. This plan includes a Solar Program involving the construction of 2 GW of solar energy by 2020. The Moroccan Solar Plan is being piloted by the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), an agency created in 2010.

 

 

The aim of the Moroccan Solar Plan is to reach 2 GW (14% of the expected installed power by 2020) of solar generation capacity by 2020, with an investment cost estimated at 9 billion US dollars.

The Ouarzazate 500 MW complex is the first project within the framework of the Moroccan Solar Plan. In September 2012, the consortium led by ACWA was named as preferred bidder for the first phase of the planned 500 MW solar park.

 

Currently one CSP project is operating in Morocco, dating back to a development started in 1999 when a grant of US$ 50 million from the Global Environment Facility was committed to Morocco for a 470 MW Integrated Solar Combined Cycle project with 20 MW equivalent solar capacity.

ISCC Ain Beni Mathar.

Fichtner Solar prepared the Request for Proposals (RfP) with the choice of technology being left to the bidding investors.