The World Bank will provide US$125 million in additional financing for the Noor-Midelt 1 and II plants, which include a combination of concentrated solar power (CSP) and PV.

The additional financing for the projects, which are set to have a capacity of 600-800MW, includes US$25 million from the Clean Technology Fund.

Free Report: Morocco NOOR Solar Plan-by MASEN

The CSP-plus-PV combination aims to derive the benefits of cheaper cost PV at the same time as the ability of CSP to generate power without sunlight.

The Noor-Midelt complex will be Morocco’s second concentrated solar power (CSP) complex built under the Noor Solar Plan, following the 580MW Noor-Ouarzazate complex that is due for completion this year.

“This is yet another step toward a promising clean energy future for Morocco,” said Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, World Bank country director for the Maghreb; “the Noor-Midelt power complex seals Morocco’s position as the region’s pioneer in renewable energy.”

As CSP Focus reported earlier this January, The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) officially announced three groups have answered the tender, and the next-step commercial bidding is expected to open around the middle of 2018 and the final result will be confirmed by the end of this year.

●ACWA Power Consortium: International Company for Water and Power Projects, General Electric Company

●EDF Energies Nouvelles Consortium: EDF Energies Nouvelles, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. PJSC – Masdar, Green of Africa, Sener Ingeneria Y Sistemas

●ENGIE Consortium: International Power S.A (Engie) , Nareva Holding S.A., SolarReserve LLC, Solaire Direct S.A.S

During the upcoming CSP Focus MENA 2018（June 27-28, Marrakeck Morocco）, which will be the can’t missing gathering for CSP industry players watching Middle East & North Africa region.The project key involvers like MASEN, ACWA Power, EDF will be presenting their thoughts during the conference. 

The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) shortlisted five consortia to take part in the bidding for the first phase of the Noor Midelt solar power complex in June last year. At the time of the shortlisting, the capacity of the PV component, which is expected to provide daytime generation, was to be left to the bidders’ discretion, but could not exceed night-time net capacity from CSP by more than 20%.