Putting solar panels in the desert seemed like a good idea, but it is costing dearly. Already $2 billion and 2,000 MW have been lost. This is what has happened to a project that was seen as a viable initiative, but is failing to deliver. It was difficult to foresee, given that, nowadays, we can find solar panels practically anywhere, even indoors.
The world is immersed in a stage of energy transition in which every proposal is listened to in order to find alternatives to fossil fuels and reduce the dependence that some countries have on others.
However, even with good initiatives ahead, there are force majeure causes that force to set aside something that could have been good for humanity.
The desert solar panels have not come to fruition for this reason.
Morocco’s solar power plant plans are delayed by a dispute over the technology being used. Morocco’s idea was to build a huge solar power plant, Noor Midelt I, but it has failed to arrive on schedule.
There have been disagreements over the technology to be used, Reuters reported. Three sources close to the project reported what had happened, noting that the disagreement has taken place between the government and the project developer over the type of solar technology to be used.
A delay that not only has to do with waiting longer, but with serious consequences for the project. For now, only 831 megawatts (MW) have been installed as opposed to the 2,000 MW that were planned for 2020.
The solar panel project in the desert is not going as expected
“Construction has not even started on the $2 billion 800 MW Noor Midelt I power plant, which was scheduled to begin operating this year, after the Ministry of Energy and grid operator ONEE rejected the proposed CSP technology,” the sources told the British media outlet.
The contract to run Noor Midelt I was awarded to the state energy agency MASEN in 2019, entrusted to a consortium led by EDF Renouvelables. The proposal deals with the combination of two technologies: photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP).
However, ONEE and the Ministry of Energy are reluctant to use CSP because of problems encountered at another solar plant in the territory, Noor Ouarzazate.
This fear that the project will not succeed led to long discussions and continued delay. Although both parties are strongly committed, details about the technology to be used and the project schedule are still being finalized.
What is photovoltaics (PV)?
PV refers to photovoltaic systems, groups of solar cells that convert light into electricity. Photovoltaic solar energy harnesses solar radiation by converting it directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect.
What is concentrated solar power (CSP)?
It is a way of producing energy by using mirrors to reflect sunlight. The mirror reflects, focuses and concentrates natural sunlight on a particular area, converting it into heat. The steam generated by the heat is then used to drive a turbine that generates electricity.
CSP plants can retain thermal energy, which can then be used to generate electricity when needed.
The scope of solar panels has already been made clear to the world on several occasions, and the Morocco desert project is likely to be no different. Once the differences between the different agents involved have been resolved, we could be facing a powerful initiative in the energy field.
However, we will now have to wait and see when the day will come, as the dates given in the first instance are no longer valid. In the meantime, we can marvel at other innovative products that are being launched, such as solar panels that produce more energy when it is cloudy.
