Morocco to Begin Construction of Mega Desertec Solar Project

Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Construction is on the world's largest concentrated solar power project to begin in Morocco in 2012. The first phase of the Desertec project will be a 150-megawatt (MW), 12-square-kilometer concentrated solar facility with an investment of $835 million. Final decisions have to be made on the technology, location and funding. When completed, the facility will have a total capacity of 500 MW. The first phase is scheduled for completion between 2014 and 2016.

The $550 billion Desertec project is anchored mainly by German companies and targets the development of clean energy generation in the North African deserts, to supply up to 15% of Europe's electrical power demand by 2050.

For related information, see June 28, 2010, article - Desertec Plans Phase 1 of Giant Solar-to-Energy Project.

On the domestic power scene, Morocco is focusing on wind and solar energy to reduce energy imports and to create new jobs. The country will benefit from the Desertec project program, with the world's largest solar plants at five locations.

In 2020, solar power plants are expected to produce 2,000 MW and cover 14% of domestic power consumption. Large windfarms will assist the country in achieving its plan to produce 42% of power requirements from renewable sources by 2020 and reduce the cost of importing energy by $500 million annually.

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