Germany supports Morocco's solar plan

Within the framework of the International Climate Initiative the German Government contributes to financing the first large solar power station in Morocco.

The Federal Government will contribute to financing the first large solar power station in Morocco. A first agreement was signed yesterday (14.12.2011) between the KfW Entwicklungsbank and the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy. According to the plans it will be a solar thermal parabolic trough plant with a capacity of 160 MW and a storage capacity of three hours to extend electricity supply from solar energy into the early evening. The plant will be located near the city of Ouarzazate in the south of Morocco, not far from the desert. Construction will start next year and is expected to last around one year.

The Federal Environment Ministry will provide a grant of 15 million euros from the International Climate Initiative ICI for the equity the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy has to deposit with the implementing organisation. These funds are channelled via the KfW Entwicklungsbank. Germany has closely coordinated its support with other donors, such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the French Development Bank and the European Commission.

This contribution makes Germany one of Morocco's most important bilateral partners for establishing the solar power plant Ouarzazate. Morocco's energy strategy is focuses particularly on renewable energies. The construction of this solar thermal power plant is the first step to implementing the ambitious solar power plan which comprises building up power plant capacity to 2000 MW by 2020. By also expanding the use of wind energy, Morocco plans to cover around 28 percent of its electricity supply with renewable energies by 2020.