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Moroccan solar strategies hampered by dispute over innovation

A conflict over concentrated solar power (CSP) innovation lags years of hold-ups to Morocco's most significant prepared solar job after problems at another popular plant that caused long shut downs, 3 sources close to the job stated.

Morocco has a few of the most ambitious green energy goals of any establishing nation, going for renewables to represent 52% of installed capability by 2030 from 37.6% now, mostly through financial investments in solar and wind plants.

However, it is already falling back on solar, with just 831 megawatts (MW) set up so far compared to the 2,000 MW that was prepared for 2020. Wind has made up a few of the deficiency however polluting coal plants still make up most output.

Construction has not even started on the prepared $2 billion 800 MW Noor Midelt I plant, which was implied to begin operating this year, after the Energy Ministry and grid operator ONEE turned down the proposed CSP technology, the sources stated.

State energy firm MASEN granted the contract to establish Noor Midelt I in 2019 to a consortium led by EDF Renouvelables.

It asked for the plant to have both photovoltaic (PV). innovation, which is more affordable however has little capability to shop. power, and CSP, which is more expensive however continue powering. the grid for hours after dark.

Nevertheless, after the contract was awarded ONEE and the Energy. If MASEN, Ministry said they would only concur to purchase the power. either deserted CSP for PV or altered from thermal salt energy. storage to batteries, the sources stated.

MASEN and the grid eventually signed a power purchase. contract, but there are still discussions in between MASEN and the. advancement consortium over the innovation specifications, the. sources stated.

MASEN says the task was delayed due to the pandemic and. is now in the final stage of development but it did not react. to a specific request for discuss the innovation. dispute.

EDF Renouvelables stated Morocco had actually decided to restart the. advancement in 2022 with a mix of PV, CSP and battery storage. It said the job was at the last of development and. all partners remain committed.

The Energy Ministry did not comment straight on the problems. at Noor Midelt however it said it tries to be as innovation. agnostic as it can as long as costs, sustainability and. security goals are maintained to avoid unnecessary risk.

The World Bank and the European Investment Bank stated their. funding terms for the job remain valid as discussions. continue in between MASEN and the consortium. The World Bank stated. building will take 30 months when negotiations end.

CSP PLANT DIFFICULTIES

ONEE cited issues at Noor Ouarzazate, Morocco's best-known. solar complex, as the factor for wanting MASEN to alter the. technology at Noor Midelt, the sources stated.

Technological problems stopped all output at a 150 MW plant. there for a year from summer season 2021, said two of the sources.

Noor Ouarzazate helped put Morocco on the worldwide map of. massive renewable energy tasks. However a better search in. regards to operation expenses and maintenance issues show that the. plant is rather a liability, said a source close to Noor Midelt. I.

With hindsight, Ouarzazate served as a testing room for. an immature CSP technology, said another source.

Morocco's financial, social, and ecological council. recommended deserting CSP completely in a 2020 report due to. its high expense compared to PV and wind. That report stated MASEN. was operating an $80 million a year deficit at the Noor. Ouarzazate complex since it is selling power for less than the. production cost.

MASEN, which commissioned Noor Ouarzazate, stated the plant. had actually revealed good efficiency in 2023 both on peak and off-peak. hours. It added that CSP innovation was a service that provides. storage, helping address grid needs at peak hours.

ACWA Power, the designer of Noor Ouarzazate, and grid. operator ONEE did not react to requests for comment.

(source: Reuters)