In Morocco, the country’s Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), the Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA), and the Alcen group signed several parallel and complementary agreements to develop industry and R&D in the solar energy field in an effort to boost their expertise and know-how. These agreements concern MASEN’s strategic acquisition of 50%, alongside Alcen group, in the Alsolen company, which is active in solar thermal technology, in addition to the establishment of a research laboratory in Morocco by MASEN and CEA and the launch of several collaboration and competence transfer projects. Morocco also announced a new solar program, the first phase of the three-phase Tafilalet solar PV project will total 25 MW. The small capacity may not generate a significant amount of interest from large companies however. The World Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development will provide financing, but it is unclear as to whether the World Bank will finance the total cost of the project, $150 million. The country’s Moroccan National Office for Electricity and Water will be accepting the bids for the project.
