The Noor-Ouarzazate solar complex has been spotlighted in the report “The Renewable Energy Investment Case for Africa,” released in Addis Ababa during the second climate summit held September 8–10.
Located in southern Morocco, Noor-Ouarzazate is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world, with a total capacity of 582 megawatts. Of that, 510 megawatts come from concentrated solar technology, while 72 megawatts are generated through photovoltaic panels.
The project sits at the heart of Morocco’s energy strategy, which aims to raise renewable energy to 52 percent of installed capacity by 2030 and reduce dependence on imports. It was developed as a public-private partnership led by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), working alongside a consortium headed by ACWA Power.
Financing relied on a blended model, drawing support from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank. Concessional loans played a crucial role by lowering overall electricity costs by 10 to 25 percent and ensuring the long-term financial stability of power purchase agreements.
MASEN’s leadership proved decisive, with the project delivering both economic and social benefits. Today, the plant supplies electricity to more than 1.1 million people—nearly 5 percent of Morocco’s national demand—while its construction created thousands of jobs and boosted local development.
The report, prepared by the Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative and Africa Climate Insights with support from Zero Carbon Analytics, highlights Noor-Ouarzazate as a flagship example of Africa’s renewable energy investment potential.
