The global Clean Technology Fund has endorsed Morocco’s plan to install 2,000 megawatts of concentrated solar power which will jive with its own large-scale solar projects in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Morocco solar plan launched in November 2009 involves commissioning five solar power generation plants between 2015 and 2020, for a total capacity of 2,000 MW.
It is said to be the cornerstone of the country’s climate change mitigation strategy, which will cost $9 billion.
The Clean Technology Fund will guarantee $750 million for the project for its own plans of installing about 1,000 MW of concentrating solar capacity in the North Africa and Middle East region.
The fund is one of two multidonor trust funds under the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds, for which the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Development Bank and Inter-American Development Bank also act as implementing agencies.
About $197 million of the total backing will be used to finance three concentrating solar projects in Morocco, where the 500-MW Ouarzazate plant, the first to be built, is located. Phase 1 of the Ouarzazate plant consists of 125 MW to 250 MW.
Three plants in Morocco are the largest proposed in North Africa with 275 MW in combined capacity, within the World Bank’s own 1-gigawatt scheme.
The bank’s own projects will be built in Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt. Both concentrated solar plants in Algeria and Tunisia will generate 220 MW, while Egypt and Jordan will produce 100 MW.
Currently, Morocco imports 97 percent of its energy needs, while its energy mix is dominated by oil and coal, with 87 percent primary demand.
It set to reach 42 percent renewable energy consumption by 2020 and create a national solar agency.
Morocco has abundant solar potential and flat lands that can maximize energy from the sun. According to Jonathan Walters, World Bank’s energy and transport manager, Morocco’s solar energy will be competitive in the world market with Europe as a substantial buyer.
However, the high initial costs are said to be the main barrier for the expansion of concentrating solar. Forty-eight other concentrating solar plants are distributed in Italy, Spain, United Arab Emirates and United States.
