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Morocco hydropower applications due by end-January

4 January 2024

Morocco’s Office National de l’Electricite et de l’Eau Potable – Branche Electricite (Onee) has extended to 30 January the deadline for the submission of prequalification applications for the contract to build a pumped storage scheme in El-Menzel in Sefrou Province.

The planned El-Menzel Pumping Energy Transfer Station (Step) will have an installed power generation capacity of between 300MW and 400MW, as MEED previously reported.

It will be equipped with two reversible single-stage pump turbine units, with each unit’s capacity varying between 150MW and 200MW.

The project is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2028.

The work scope for the winning engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor involves supplying and installing all the main and auxiliary equipment. It will include execution, manufacture, transport, assembly, commissioning tests, acceptance tests and technical assistance during the contract period.

Jeddah-headquartered Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is providing finance for the project.

The El-Menzel Step plant will be located approximately 35 kilometres southeast of the city of Sefrou and 30km from Fez.

The project will also involve the construction of a 400-kilovolt (kV) substation; the laying of 44km-power transmission lines; and the construction of 10km of access roads.

According to Onee, the project is part of Morocco’s national strategy to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the national energy mix to 52 per cent by 2030.

It is expected to contribute to the country’s energy transition and help meet the demand for electricity during peak periods.

In addition to developing renewable energy capacity, the project is also expected to help improve the stability of the electricity network and mitigate the impact of the intermittency of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

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Jennifer Aguinaldo

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