The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) could issue the request for proposals for a contract to develop the next phase of its Noor Midelt solar independent power producer (IPP) programme in the second or third quarter of 2024.

Noor Midelt 3 is expected to have a solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity of up to 400MW and a battery energy storage system capacity not exceeding 400 megawatt-hours (MWh).       

It will be located at the same complex as the first two phases of the scheme.

An industry source previously said the tender was due to be issued in mid-January, although a delay was highly likely.

The delay could be due to extended discussions related to the required battery capacity, or prioritising between the second and third phases of the programme, the source said. 

Masen prequalified eight groups to bid for the Noor Midelt 3 solar IPP contract in December. These are:

• Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) (UAE) / Taqa Morocco (local)
• Acciona (Spain) / Green of Africa (local)
• Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia) / Nareva Holding (local)
• Cobra (Spain) / Vinci Concessions (France)
• EDF Renouvelables (France) / Mitsui & Co (Japan)  
• Iberdrola (Spain)
• Kahrabel (UAE) / GDF International (France)
• SPIC Huanghe Hydropower Development (China) / Amea Power (UAE)

The project will be implemented according to a 30-year power-purchase agreement between Masen as the offtaker and the project company that will be formed for the scheme. 

In the case of participation by any international finance institutions, such as Germany’s KFW or the European Investment Bank, those banks’ procurement rules will be applied to the project, according to Masen.

The Noor Midelt 3 plant is expected to be built on a dedicated and available site that Masen will provide under a land lease or equivalent agreement.

This suggests that common infrastructure such as the water supply, roads and telecommunications services will be shared, and will be constructed “to ensure overall consistency of the solar complex and optimise benefits from a simultaneous development of the infrastructure”.   

Midelt 2

Separately, in July last year, Masen prequalified six teams to bid for a contract to develop the second phase of its Noor Midelt solar programme. The Noor Midelt 2 solar IPP consists of a 400MW solar PV power plant with battery storage of two hours.

The prequalified companies are: 

• Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia)
• Cobra Servicios, Communicaciones y Energia / Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios (Spain)
• EDF Renouvelables (France) / Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar, UAE)
• Enel Green Power (Italy) / Taqa Morocco (local)
• Iberdrola Renovables (Spain) / Dongfang Electric (China) / Gaia Project (local)
• International Power (Belgium) and Nareva (local)

Masen invited developers to prequalify for the planned Noor Midelt 2 IPP in July 2020.

At the time, the planned scheme was expected to include thermal concentrated solar power and PV solar components, similar to Noor Midelt 1, which was awarded to a consortium of EDF and Masdar.

Clean energy target

Morocco has set a target for 52% of its energy to be produced from clean energy sources by 2030, one of the most ambitious targets in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Morocco aims to bring its renewable capacity to 10,000MW by 2030. Solar PV capacity is expected to comprise 4,500MW, with wind and hydroelectric comprising 4,200MW and 1,300MW, respectively.

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