While Morocco continues to make announcements on its plans to build a domestic solar industry and praise continues to mount internationally for the country’s efforts, announcements and implementation are two different terms.
The beginning of November had the Moroccan government announcing plans for a $9 billion solar energy project that would provide 38% of the country’s installed power generation once complete – which is anticipated by 2020 (Morocco Unveils Its $9B Solar Energy Project). The first round of bidding was expected to begin at the end of February with companies like Spain’s Abengoa predicted to be one of the top contenders having already a hand in other projects in the country. German competitors could include Siemens and RWE – which are also onboard for the North African Sahara project that could potentially supply enough solar power to power the entire European Union (Desertec’s New JV Plans Sahara Energy Export in Five Years).
It would appear that Morocco is on the right track to include renewable energy into its mix, particularly since the country imports 96% of its energy. However, some projects appear to be falling by the wayside such as the Tarfaya wind farms. While the North African country is aiming to develop 1,000 MW of wind power capacity by 2012, delays in this particular project continue and without reason.
Campagnie du Vent’s CSP Unit Manager Matthieu Colleter told Alternative Energy Africa that the company even traveled to Morocco to await the bid announcement in November, only to be told it was delayed. This has occurred numerous times. The state utility has yet to open financial bids placed by the French company in addition to the bids submitted by the UK’s International Power with Morocco’s Nareva Holding, and Belgium’s Suez Energy International.
The company chosen will build a 200-MW wind farm which was scheduled to begin operating in 2011. The developer will have the option of increasing the size of the farm to 300 MW at a later stage. With only seven months left in 2010, Morocco might be cutting it a little close if it really anticipates meeting its 2012 goals.
