Solar power advances industrial decarbonation at Aïn Harrouda plant

Thursday 25 December 2025 - 17:50

Lesieur Cristal has commissioned a photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 2 megawatts at its industrial facility in Aïn Harrouda. The project marks a concrete step in the company’s energy transition strategy and signals a deeper integration of renewable energy within Morocco’s agri food industry. Developed in partnership with Nareva Services, the initiative aims to cut emissions while strengthening energy autonomy at one of the group’s flagship sites.

The announcement targets professionals following industrial sustainability, energy policy observers, and business leaders tracking the evolution of low carbon manufacturing in emerging markets.

New benchmarks for industrial sustainability

The solar installation extends across 1.5 hectares and consists of 3,254 photovoltaic panels. Once fully operational, it will generate electricity for on site consumption, supplying close to 12 percent of the facility’s annual energy demand. This shift is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 2,400 tonnes each year. The environmental benefit corresponds to the absorption capacity of nearly 90,000 trees.

The project fits into a long term decarbonation plan launched in 2020. The roadmap targets a 65 percent reduction in carbon emissions by the end of the decade. Alongside solar production, the company has introduced measures to improve energy efficiency across its operations. These include modernizing packaging lines, moving from HDPE to PET materials, and installing a biomass boiler capable of producing 15 tonnes of renewable thermal energy per hour.

A pilot site for low carbon industry

With the commissioning of the photovoltaic plant, the Aïn Harrouda facility now serves as a reference site for sustainable industrial practices in Morocco’s agri food sector. The investment goes beyond immediate energy savings. It reflects a broader effort to align industrial performance with environmental responsibility at scale.

During the inauguration, company executives highlighted the plant as a practical demonstration of a strategy built on operational efficiency and ecological accountability. Partners involved in the project underlined the deployment of advanced solar technologies designed to ensure stable output and long term reliability under industrial conditions.

Alignment with national energy ambitions

The solar investment also reinforces the company’s corporate mission centered on environmental stewardship. Pursued with the support of its main shareholder Avril, this approach echoes Morocco’s national objectives for energy transition. By expanding the use of renewable energy in manufacturing, the project contributes to the emergence of a more resilient and environmentally responsible industrial base.