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Morocco : MOROCCO preparing to launch gigantic desert solar farm
Publish Date : 15-Dec-2015
Engineers are conducting the final checks on a huge number of metal mirrors placed facing the sun, in a move to prepare for the launch of Morocco's first solar power plant, the project which forms part of the North African country's goal to boost its clean energy output, which is expected to eventually be the world's largest solar power production facility.
Morocco with scarce oil and gas reserves, currently stands as the biggest importer of energy in the Middle East and North Africa. This plant forms part of a vision to move beyond this heavy dependency and expands production of renewable energy to 42 percent of its total power needs by 2020.
Nearly 20 kilometres (12 miles) outside Ouarzazate, around half a million U-shaped mirrors termed as "parabolic troughs" stretches out in 800 rows, slowly following the sun as it moves across the sky. They store thermal energy from the sun's rays and use it to activate steam turbines that generates electricity.
Earlier in 2013, King Mohamed VI initiated construction of the plant, called Noor 1, at a cost of 600 million euros ($660 million) and involving roughly 1,000 workers.
Noor 2 and Noor 3 which are project's next phases will follow in 2016 and 2017, and a call for tenders is open for Noor 4.
With successful completion of all phases, Noor is expected to be "the largest solar power production facility in the world", claims its developers, covering an area of around 30 square kilometres (11.6 square miles). The solar power project is expected to generate 580 megawatts and provide electricity to a million homes, and will also help in reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
