While decentralized power plants are intended to strengthen regional supplies, the major projects in Midelt focus on technological innovations and the distribution of power in the energy market.
Rabat – Morocco is consistently pursuing the goal of obtaining over 52% of its installed electrical capacity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Two current developments mark the planned expansion of the national infrastructure: the start of the “Noor Atlas” program and the award of the major projects Noor Midelt 2 and 3, which took place in August 2025. According to the institutions involved, both projects are intended not only to improve the CO₂ balance, but also to increase network stability through modern storage technologies.
Decentralized photovoltaic systems to strengthen the regional infrastructure
The implementation of the “Noor Atlas” program was officially launched with the signing of the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between the Moroccan Sustainable Energy Agency (Masen) and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE). The project envisages the construction of six solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 305 MW. The locations are spread across strategically important regions such as Aïn Béni Mathar, Boudnib, Bouanane, Enjil as well as Tata and Tan-Tan.
According to official information, the financing of this project is based on a combination of low-interest loans from the German KfW and the European Investment Bank (EIB) as well as commercial funds from the Bank of Africa. The systems are scheduled to be commissioned from July 2027. The aim is to improve service quality at the regional level and to ensure sustainable technology transfer through cooperation between Moroccan and European companies.
Technology change in Midelt: From solar thermal energy to photovoltaics with battery storage
A key aspect of the current phase is the technological change at the Midelt location. While the pioneering project Noor Midelt 1 still relied heavily on concentrated solar thermal energy (CSP), which stores heat in liquid salt, Noor Midelt 2 and 3 mark a switch to photovoltaics (PV) in combination with battery storage systems (BESS).
The awarded projects each have an output of 400 megawatt peak (MWp) and a storage capacity of 602 megawatt hours (MWh). This technological shift is seen as a response to the falling costs of PV modules and batteries. The hybrid system should make it possible to specifically feed in up to 230 MW of power during evening consumption peaks, which significantly increases the flexibility of the national power grid compared to pure solar systems.
Strategic actors: Saudi Arabian capital meets Moroccan institutions
Behind the expansion are actors with considerable economic and political reach. The contract for Noor Midelt 2 and 3 was awarded to a consortium led by ACWA Power. The Saudi Arabian company, in which the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF has a significant stake, is one of the world’s largest private players in the energy sector.
Morocco – Background to the commissioning of ACWA Power and Nareva for Noor Midelt 2 and 3
The key local partner in the consortium is Nareva Holding. Nareva, in turn, is a subsidiary of Al Mada, the private investment fund of the Moroccan royal family, whose main shareholder is King Mohammed VI. is. This constellation of international investment power and local institutional anchoring enabled the consortium to assert itself against strong European competitors such as the French EDF or the Spanish Iberdrola.
Transparency and competition in a growing market
However, the award to a consortium with close ties to the national business leaders has also sparked discussions in the industry. While Masen emphasizes that the decision was made solely on the basis of technical and economic criteria, observers – including in reports from Medias24 – point to potential “oligopolistic tendencies”. The question arises as to whether the awarding structures favor actors who are already deeply rooted in the country’s regulatory and political architecture.
Ultimately, the success of Noor Atlas and Noor Midelt will be measured by whether the promised reduction in energy costs and the desired energy independence actually reach the end consumer.
Morocco – Major energy projects NOOR Midelt 2 & 3 awarded to ACWA Power.
Source:
maghreb-post.de
