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| World Bank to Back Morocco Concentrated Solar Power Plant |
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| Tuesday, 14 September 2010 11:12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Clean Technology Fund Trust Fund Committee (CTF TFC) has endorsed the Investment Plan for Concentrated Solar Power in the Middle East and North Africa Region, which aims at mobilizing $5.6 billion (including $750 million from the CTF) to accelerate deployment of 1 GW of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) generation capacity, doubling the worldwide CSP installed capacity. Morocco is the country with the largest proposed capacity in the MENA CSP CTF IP. The first plant to be developed under the CSP scale-up initiative is the 500 MW Ouarzazate plant in Morocco, which is the largest proposed CSP plant in the world. Morocco imports nearly all its energy needs (97%) and its energy mix is dominated by oil and coal (87% of primary energy demand). The challenge faced by Morocco is how to meet fast growing demand while at the same time reducing the carbon intensity of the power sector and enhancing security of supply. In this context, the Morocco Solar Plan, launched in November 2009, is the cornerstone of the country’s climate change mitigation strategy. The US$ 9 billion Solar Plan calls for the commissioning of five solar power generation plants between 2015 and 2020, for a total capacity of 2000 MW, Aided by a strong commitment to reforms and energy demand management, Morocco is ideally positioned to serve European markets and to use this positioning to take a technology and market lead, both through its geographic position and through the recent creation of enabling regulatory conditions for integration of RE in the energy system. The proposed project aims at increasing production of renewable energy through development of Phase 1 of a 500 MW CSP plant. The project will also contribute to Morocco’s objectives of reducing import dependency and CO2 emissions, through increased penetration of renewable energy. Other global and regional objectives include mitigating climate change through acceleration of global deployment of CSP, meeting EU’s renewable energy objectives, while creating a source of revenues for the Moroccan energy sector, and creating the Mediterranean regional electricity market. The project will support a PPP between MASEN and a competitively selected private partner (s) to develop 125-250 MW (phase I of the 500 MW Ouazarzate plant which is part of the Morocco Solar Plan) of CSP (parabolic trough and/or tower) with 6 hour storage in order to contribute to peak load coverage at a site about 10 km East North East of Ouarzazate. The site is well suited for solar projects, especially for development of CSP, because of excellent solar resources and the availability of water. The technical characteristics and size of the project have been determined after thorough analyses of technological options and market surveys by a reputable technical advisor. MASEN has hired transaction, tax and legal advisors (IFC is the transaction advisor) and a technical consultant. The Moroccan Government requested use of CTF for the Ouarzazate plant. Other concessional financing is likely to come from the European Neighbourhood Investment facility (NIF) as well as from other countries. Requests have been made for loans from several IFIs, and a steering group representing all concerned financiers meets monthly to review the status of project preparation The preliminary environmental impact study is under way, as are DNI measures and various other related studies (seismic, water, etc). An expression of interest was launched in March 2010 and attracted over 200 responses. A prequalification is in process to establish a short list in early fall. Construction is expected to start mid-2011 for a commissioning by 2015. Meeting MASEN’s ambitious schedule requires a well coordinated effort of all co-financiers, including the World Bank, as well as a streamlined processing. Safeguard policies that might apply include Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01), given that the project has potential (adverse) environmental risks in its area of influence, given notably the needs for water (for cooling and mirror cleaning). The choice of cooling technology may turn out to be decisive for the extent of water use from the project. It is to be determined whether other safeguard policies apply, notably Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37), given that the project depends on an existing reservoir for water provision. Given the isolated desert environment, it is unlikely that the policies on Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04); Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11); and Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) apply, but this will be verified.
Silvia Pariente-David, Senior Energy Specialist, sparientedavid@worldbank.org
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Morcelli
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Algeria & Morocco. Partnership? Algeria is not for this project even though they are saying they are. They want to control the production and not handing it to Europe. Smart. Losing control over Solar energy in North Africa means Algeria's gas resources will be useless. Basically suicidal for Algeria that relies 95% on these resources to survive. Solar energy in Morocco can actually solve the Moroccan sahara problem. When the gas become less vital, Algeria will no longer drool to get a piece of the Moroccan sahara by proxy. I am sure that Moroccans know that and they have every reason to push for this project. wouldn't be nice for Morocco and Algeria to partner on this project and make Europe pay for their efforts and solve our own energy deficiencies? Bouteflika is approching 80 years old and he is not in the mood to think about 20 years from now, He is still thinking 1950-1960. What a shame that we have no power to change things for the better of the maghreb people. M6 asked a zillion time bouteflika to turn the page and start a new beginning but he refused. It's time for the Algerian people to rid themselves of bouteflika and his gang and we rid ourselves of the crooks and the incompetent that are only looking after themselves. |
titi
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... Frankly, I don’t see the point in countering such project if the Europeans are to support the financial side, the repercussions for morocco can only be beneficial in providing (thousands) jobs for engineers and technicians, maybe not for the design but certainly for on site management and maintenance.. This project will also provide a cleaner affordable and more reliable source of energy to Morocco either directly from the project itself or from replica projects for which we will have already developed the necessary know-how potential.. Those who have reservations need to start by asking themselves two questions, what are the alternatives? What is the project going to cost us not only financially but also socially and environmentally? |
SaidZ
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Analyst Given the global economic and environmental trends, Morocco must embrace such projects. This way, Europe's economy and that of Morocco are interdependent. Economic interdependence, per my international relations expertise, have always led to increasing economic cooperation between nations, decreasing the prospect for conflicts, etc. All in all, it appears that this is the safe way to a cleaner future, cleaner air, less particles in the air, and less cancer. |
Morcelli
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... Moroccans will definitely get all positions related to cleaning and wiping the solar panel mirrors. It is a lot safer than jumping on somone's car at the red light to wipe his/her windshield. Morocco will undoubtedly have the apprehend and the experience in doing these jobs. Let the Europeans get the boring upper level jobs. Moroccan negotiators will make more money from people wiping the solar panels anyway. |
Aziz El Alami
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... Projects of this magnitude are great for our Country – Thousands of Jobs would be created, roads will be built, restaurants, hotels…etc. not to mention the opportunities the Moroccan workers (from engineers to laborers) would have to work and LEARN from such a project; couple that with the massive revenue the Moroccan government would enjoy simply by being the host of such a gigantic project… This is without a doubt a step in the right direction. This is a good project and a great opportunity. It ought to be celebrated, welcomed and encouraged. We need more of these projects not less. Look at where China was not too long ago… They went from being the world’s factory and almost laughing stock to now being one of the world’s strongest economies… We are not there yet – but if this project comes to fruition, it would be a great step towards Morocco’s economic recovery and resurgence. |
Datae
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... You're not mistaking my friend. Because Morocco lacks the expertise to handle such technologies, only a few jobs will be created for locals. Most of the support, engineering and other commercial aspects will be handled remotely. A significant window of opportunity is presented to Morocco however. Morocco needs to invest heavily in its schools/universities and needs to train and produce people capable of managing runnning and overseeing such technologies.... |
anonymous
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... I don't see how the Moroccan people will benefit from this project. From what im reading it seems like huge solar plants will be built, financed for the purpose of generating power to our European neighbors not the moroccan market. I might be wrong so please correct me if i am. |
