ACWA Power has been selected to develop the NOOR Midelt 2 and NOOR Midelt 3 solar energy projects, following an international tender launched by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN). The leading private company in water desalination and energy diversification will oversee the construction of two photovoltaic plants, each with a capacity of 400 MWp, paired with 602 MWh of battery energy storage (BESS) and a peak capacity of 230 MWac for two hours. «Developed under a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, these projects will be backed by a 30-year power purchase agreement expected to be signed with MASEN», the company announced in a statement on Monday. The NOOR Midelt 2 and 3 plants are designed to address peak energy demand, improve grid flexibility, and facilitate greater integration of renewable energy into Morocco's national grid, in line with the country's 2030 energy mix targets. The two projects are expected to prevent 1.2 million tons of CO2 emissions. Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, noted that «as the largest investor in Africa with $9.5 billion», the company «remains committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions across the continent», including in Morocco. Hashim Ghabashi, president of the MEASEA region at ACWA Power, added that the projects mark «another key milestone in Morocco's path toward energy independence and sustainable development». Omar Alaoui Mhamdi, general manager of ACWA Power Morocco, said the company aims to «maintain close collaboration with the Moroccan government to further develop low-carbon solutions aligned with national priorities, while delivering local socio-economic benefits». ACWA Power Morocco already operates and maintains the NOOR I, NOOR II, NOOR III, and NOOR PV I solar plants in Ouarzazate, Laâyoune, and Boujdour, as well as the Khalladi wind farm in Tangier, bringing its total installed capacity in Morocco to 765 MW.
