WASHINGTON: The Moroccan government has preselected four groups including Enel SpA, Mitsui and Co. and Orascom Construction Industries of Egypt for the initial phase for a 500-megawatt solar energy project in the country's south. The new project aims to begin the development of massive solar power initiatives that many believe could hold the key to electricity and power in the future. Morocco hopes to garner nearly half of its power needs through solar and wind power by 2025. The companies were picked out of 19 bidding groups, the Rabat-based Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy said on its website. The Ouarzazate project targets full operation by 2015. One group includes Mitsui, Abeinsa ICI, Abengoa Solar and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.. A second is made up of Enel and ASC SCE and a third by International Company for Water & Power, or ACWA, Aries IS and TSK EE. A fourth group includes Egypt's Orascom Construction, Solar Millennium AG and Evonik Steag AG. BM