A tender will soon be launched for a 500 MW solar power plant. This is the first step towards the implementation of a program involving the construction of solar power systems for approximately 2,000 MW by 2020. By the end of the month, Morocco will assess bids for the construction of its first solar power plant at Ouarzazate, in the South of the country. This 500 MW Concentrating Solar Power is the first step towards the implementation of the State program for the development of solar energy. The latter was officially announced by the Moroccan government, which also revealed its target to install five solar systems by 2020, which would generate 38% of the overall installed capacity of the country (about 5,500 MW in 2008). The goal is therefore to achieve 2,000 MW of solar power, the deployment of which will require an estimated investment of 9 billion euros. Morocco – the only North African country that cannot count on huge resources of oil and gas – aims at developing renewable energy sources also in the hope of playing a relevant role in supporting European programs in this sector. The latter regards in particular the program that European industries have planned to develop in North African deserts for the construction of large solar plants which, with an investment of about 400 billion, would allow the EU to meet 15% of its electricity demand. BM
