Saudi Arabian energy giant ACWA Power has recently won the bid for the Noor Midelt II&III solar energy storage integrated project in the Kingdom of Morocco, with a total installed capacity of 800 megawatts. This important development marks a new breakthrough in the strategic layout of the company in the North African renewable energy market.

According to the announcement issued by the Ministry of Sustainable Energy of the Kingdom of Morocco (MASEN), these two projects are located in Midlert Province, Della Tafral, in the central part of the Kingdom of Morocco, in the area around the Atlas Mountains. Each project plans to construct a 400 megawatt solar power generation facility, accompanied by a 602 megawatt hour battery energy storage system, with a total energy storage capacity of 1204 megawatt hours. The project adopts advanced photovoltaic+energy storage technology solutions, and a single project can stably output 230 megawatts of electricity, with a continuous power supply time of up to two hours.

The Kingdom of Morocco, with its unique solar energy resource endowment and clear energy policy orientation, has become one of the most attractive renewable energy investment destinations in the Middle East and North Africa region in recent years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a special report in July 2023 stating that the Kingdom of Morocco plans to increase the proportion of renewable energy generation from 18% in 2020 to 52% by 2030, with solar power contributing 20% of the share. The second and third phases of the Nomidelert project, which won the bid this time, are important components of the "Nomidelert" national solar energy plan of the Kingdom of Morocco. The plan aims to build a more resilient and flexible new power system through the innovative integration of photovoltaic power generation, solar thermal power generation, and energy storage technology.

As a leading global developer of renewable energy, Saudi Arabia International Power and Water Company (ACWA Power) has a business footprint covering three major regions: the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. According to data from the company's official website, it has put into operation seven power generation facilities in the Kingdom of Morocco, with a total installed capacity of 765 megawatts and a cumulative investment of approximately 12 billion Saudi riyals (equivalent to 3.2 billion US dollars). The implementation of this new project will further enhance the strategic influence of the enterprise in North Africa.

The continuous support of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ACWA Power provides a solid backing for the international development of the company. In 2020, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia increased its stake in ACWA Power to 50% to accelerate the country's energy transition process. According to the analysis of the Arab China Industrial Research Institute (ACIEP), the deep cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Morocco in the field of renewable energy not only achieves mutual benefit and win-win economic benefits, but also reflects the strategic synergy between the two countries in addressing climate change and promoting energy transformation.

With the acceleration of the global energy green transformation process, the Kingdom of Morocco, relying on its advantageous geographical location and strong policy support, is becoming an important benchmark for the development of renewable energy in North Africa and even globally. The continuous investment and innovative international cooperation model of Saudi Arabia International Power and Water Company (ACWA Power) will inject new momentum into the transformation and sustainable development of the regional energy system. (This article is from the official website of Jian Dao www.seetao.com. Reproduction without permission is prohibited, otherwise it will be prosecuted. Please indicate Jian Dao website+original link when reprinting.) Jian Dao website new energy column editor/Yang Beihua