As part of its Noor Atlas solar programme, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) is launching a call for expressions of interest for the signing of engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) contracts for at least seven solar photovoltaic plants divided into two lots. The larger one is for the construction of five plants in Ain Beni Mathar (42 MW) and Bouanane (30 MW) in the Oriental region, in Outat el Haj (36 MW) and Enjil (42 MW) in the Fez-Meknes region, and in Boudnib (36 MW) in the Drâa-Tafilalet region.
The second is the Tan-Tan solar photovoltaic plants in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region and the Tata plant in the Souss-Massa region. The two solar parks will each have a capacity of 36 MW. Law 38-16 provides for the transfer of the renewable assets of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) to MASEN. It is within this framework, and following the pre-qualification phase organised by Onee, MASEN’s historical partner, that the call for tenders launched today by MASEN will enable the selection of the constructor(s) (EPC) from among the eight pre-qualified companies/consortiums”, the Moroccan public body states.
EIB support
Companies interested in MASEN’s call for expressions of interest have until 30 October 2022 to submit their bids. The Noor Atlas programme implemented by Onee aims to develop solar energy in remote areas of Morocco, in line with the kingdom’s objective of increasing the share of renewable energy to 52% by 2030.
According to the European Investment Bank (EIB), which is financing the programme to the tune of €129 million, the Noor Atlas solar programme will help to reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels. The construction of this infrastructure will also create new jobs in a very dynamic sector. Above all, the programme will enable Morocco to diversify its electricity mix. According to MASEN, this North African kingdom has an installed capacity of 10,627 MW. Only 37% of this capacity comes from renewable sources, i.e. 3 934 MW.
For more information on Masen’s tender, click here.
Jean Marie Takouleu