Morocco has begun building six new solar power plants as part of the Noor Atlas programme, aimed at increasing the country’s use of renewable energy.
The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water and the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy said electricity supply contracts had been signed and construction work had started.
The project includes six solar plants with a total capacity of 305 megawatts.
They will be built in Aïn Béni Mathar, Boudnib, Bouanane, Enjil, Tata and Tan-Tan.
The plants will be run and maintained by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy.
Funding for the programme comes partly from low-interest loans provided by the KfW and the European Investment Bank, along with financing from Bank of Africa.
Groups of Moroccan and European companies will build the plants. Officials say this will help train local workers, support Moroccan industry and create jobs in the regions where the plants are located.
The first plants are expected to start producing electricity from July 2027.
The Noor Atlas programme uses solar panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity.
Unlike some earlier solar projects built in one place, these plants will be spread across several regions. Officials say producing electricity closer to smaller or remote areas can reduce energy losses during transmission and improve the stability of the power grid.
The project is part of Morocco’s plan to get 52% of its electricity capacity from renewable energy by 2030, while also cutting carbon emissions and reducing the need to import coal and gas.
