In the vast expanse of the Moroccan desert lies a beacon of innovation and hope: the Ouarzazate Solar Power Station, affectionately known as Noor, which translates to ‘light’ in Arabic. This ambitious project symbolizes Africa’s determination to become its own powerhouse, harnessing the abundant energy of the sun to fuel progress and prosperity across the continent.
At the heart of this endeavor is Noor 1, the initial phase of the Ouarzazate project, boasting a capacity of 160 MW out of a planned 580 MW. Its sleek solar panels, designed to track the sun’s movements, emit a gentle hum as they pivot, maximizing their exposure to sunlight. In a region where the sun shines for up to 3,600 hours annually, Morocco possesses one of the world’s most promising solar power potentials.
Since its inception, Noor 1 has already made significant strides in reducing Morocco’s carbon footprint, cutting emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes each year. But this is just the beginning. Mustapha Bakkoury, the visionary leader spearheading the project as head of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, envisions a future where Morocco not only meets but surpasses its energy needs, becoming a net exporter of power to Europe, Africa, and the wider Arab-speaking world.
With bold targets set for renewable energy adoption, Morocco aims to generate 42% of its energy from sources like solar, wind, and hydropower by 2020, with plans to increase that figure to 52% by 2030. Remarkably, the kingdom is already well on its way to achieving these ambitious goals, with renewable sources accounting for 34% of its electricity production by the end of 2017.
The Ouarzazate Solar Power Station stands as a testament to human ingenuity, employing cutting-edge technology to harness the sun’s energy in innovative ways. The first two phases utilize concentrated solar power, where mirrors concentrate sunlight onto a synthetic oil, heating it to 350°C and producing steam to power turbines. This process mirrors traditional fossil fuel-based electricity generation but with sunlight as the clean, abundant fuel source.
However, the pinnacle of innovation lies in Noor 3, where a single towering structure is surrounded by thousands of mirrors that track and reflect sunlight towards a central receiver. Inside the tower, molten salts capture and store the intense heat, eliminating the need for synthetic oil and offering a more efficient method of energy storage. This groundbreaking approach not only enhances efficiency but also minimizes the footprint of solar installations, making them more accessible in densely populated areas.
One of the key backers of the Noor project is the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU’s infrastructure investment arm. Their support, representing up to 60% of the project’s value, underscores the shared aspirations of Morocco and the EU to establish sustainable energy networks that transcend borders. As Morocco paves the way with its solar ambitions, other African nations, including Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and South Africa, are following suit, investing in solar projects to secure cleaner, more reliable sources of electricity.
Beyond the realm of energy generation, the impact of projects like Noor extends far and wide, promising a brighter future for the continent as a whole. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, these initiatives mitigate environmental degradation, enhance energy security, and pave the way for widespread access to electricity, transforming lives and communities across Africa.
As the sun sets on the horizon, casting its final rays over the Moroccan desert, the legacy of Noor shines bright, illuminating a path towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for Africa and the world.
