Spain’s third interconnection with Morocco could be Europe’s chance for African PV – or a boost for coal
The two nations have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a third power link connecting their electricity systems. The news will again initiate hope for the transfer of solar energy from Africa to Europe, but is that hope justified?
The weekend read: The untapped potential of the MENA region
The region’s climate, developing economies and demographic growth are driving increased electricity demand in the Middle East and North Africa. However, as a hub of conventional energy supply, the region has been slow to embrace PV. To capture more of the value chain and deliver the full potential of solar, there are increasing calls for distributed generation deployment to play a bigger role.
Morocco issues 200 MW PV tender
Through the procurement, now at the pre-qualification stage, Moroccan state-owned utility ONE aims to build seven large-scale PV plants in the south and east of the country. German development bank KfW is a partner in the project.
Ecoprogetti supplies 250 MW production line for Moroccan bifacial module fab
The line, supplied by the Italian PV equipment provider, will produce glass-glass and bifacial modules. Almaden’s factory is expected to begin manufacturing activities in late October.
Ivory Coast moves forward with first solar park
The 25 MW project is planned for the town of Benguébougou, in the Korhogo department, in the north of the west African nation.
EBRD helps Morocco assess its renewable energy injection capacity
The international financial institution is assisting the grid operator of the Northern African country, ONEE, in evaluating the current capacity of its very high voltage (VH) and high voltage (HV) networks to absorb additional power from renewables.
$265 million earmarked for 800 MW Moroccan solar project
The African Development Bank has committed US$265 million to the development of two solar power plants in Morocco with a total capacity of 800 MW.
Ingeteam to supply 170 MW of inverters to three Moroccan projects
The Spanish inverter specialist will ship its 35 of its centralized Inverter Stations to the three sites over the course of this year, the company has confirmed.
Morocco secures $25 million loan for a NOOR hybrid solar project
As part of the NOOR multi-site and multi-technology solar power project, a hybrid CSP-PV system, whose total capacity is expected to reach 600-800 MW, has secured $25 million in funding from the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund.
Morocco: government-run agency Masen authorized to buy minority stake in 170 MW NOOR PV I project
A unit of the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen) was allowed to acquire an interest of up to 25% in six special purpose companies owning the project’s three photovoltaic plants.
