As Morocco gets its bid round underway for the first phase of a major solar energy project, Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries has been axed.
The 500-MW Ouarzazate project is spearheaded by the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen) and will be a part of the Desertec Industrial Initiative (DII) Sahara solar-power scheme. Four consoritiums were chosen by Masen in December which included:
· Abeinsa ICI, Abengoa Solar, Mitsui, and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.
· Enel and ACS SCE
· International Co. for Water and Power (ACWA), Aries IS, and TSK EE
· Orascom Construction Industries, Solar Millennium, and Evonik Steag
Although Masen has not given a reason for the exclusion of the Orascom-led consortium, it should be noted that Solar Millennium is facing considerable legal battles with its US subsidiary which could spill over into its corporate affairs. The government agency is expected to announce the winner within a few weeks from the three remaining consortiums that it had selected in December.
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