Energy Newspaper previously reported that public agency Masen had signed a 20-year energy purchase agreement (PPA) with Acwa Power for the development of 170 MW of solar photovoltaic plants.
The new project, called Noor PV1, actually consists of three plants located in different places: a 70 MW photovoltaic plant located in Ouarzazate; Another 80 MW plant located in El Aaiún, and a third 20 MW plant located in Bojador.
Masen has now reported that "the combined rate for the kilowatt hour (kWh) of the three projects that make up the Noor PV 1 project (with a total capacity of approximately 170 MW) is 0.46 dirhams (€ 0.042)." An extraordinarily low price considering that Morocco has no subsidies (FITs)
Saudi Arabia's Acwa Power was selected after an international tender to develop, build and operate the three plants under the BOOT (Build, Operate, Own and Transfer) regime.
Masen has also confirmed that "the three photovoltaic plants will have to be transferred to Masen (and not to the Onee which is the national electricity company) at the end of the energy purchase agreement." That is, 20 years after the date of the start-up of the plants, which is scheduled for early 2018.
Meanwhile, the photovoltaic sector is awaiting the results of the tender for the first phase of the Noor Midelt solar complex. Masen told pvmagazine that "this phase would encompass two hybrid photovoltaic projects and solar thermal power plants with storage. The CSP gross capacity is expected to be between 150 MW and 190 MW for each project."
Source: El Periódico de la Energía
