Morocco’s NOOR complex leads Africa’s renewable energy revolution

Saturday 13 September 2025 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco’s NOOR complex leads Africa’s renewable energy revolution

A new report, The Renewable Energy Investment Case for Africa, has praised Morocco’s NOOR Complex as a landmark achievement in Africa’s clean energy transition. The solar plant, located in Ouarzazate, has become a global model for harnessing renewable energy to reduce reliance on imports and lower carbon emissions, while showcasing how public-private partnerships can drive sustainable development.

A world-class renewable energy project

The NOOR Complex, one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, has a total capacity of 582 megawatts. It combines CSP (510 MW) with photovoltaic technology (72 MW), and its ability to store energy in molten salt allows electricity generation even after sunset, ensuring Morocco meets peak energy demands. The project provides electricity to over 1.1 million people and accounts for approximately 5% of Morocco’s total power supply.

The report highlights the role of Morocco’s Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) and a consortium led by ACWA Power in implementing the project. Backed by concessional loans from international financial institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Investment Bank, the project’s costs were reduced by up to 25%, making it an affordable and replicable model for other African nations.

Transforming Morocco’s energy landscape

Since its launch, the NOOR Complex has significantly reduced Morocco’s dependence on energy imports, which once exceeded 97% of its needs. The project offsets about 690,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and has created thousands of jobs during its construction phase. It has also spurred infrastructure development and training programs in the Ouarzazate region, further boosting local economic activity.

However, the report acknowledges challenges, particularly the use of water in the plant’s arid location. To address this, later phases of the project adopted dry cooling technology, minimizing water consumption.

A model for Africa’s energy future

Morocco’s renewable energy targets are ambitious: the country aims to generate 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, with solar energy playing a critical role. The NOOR Complex is a pillar of this strategy, demonstrating how a cohesive national vision can mitigate risks and attract private capital for large-scale projects.

The report also places Morocco’s success within a broader African context. Despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar resources, Africa added less than 1% of global renewable energy capacity in 2024. Financing remains a major barrier for the continent, with significant investments needed to meet the 2023 Nairobi Declaration goal of increasing renewable capacity from 56 GW in 2022 to 300 GW by 2030.

If Africa reaches this target, the transition could save up to $5 trillion by 2050, reduce energy costs, and create millions of jobs. Morocco’s NOOR Complex offers a compelling example of how innovation, partnerships, and investment can overcome challenges and unlock the continent’s vast renewable energy potential.