• Noor Midelt CSP plant is located in central Morocco
• Operated by Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen)
• Delivered 80% of planned output during 2024 summer peak

The Noor Midelt Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant, situated in Morocco’s Drâa-Tafilalet region, has delivered 80% of its planned output levels during the first full summer peak since entering partial operations in early 2024, according to the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen). The plant, which combines CSP and photovoltaic technology, is a centerpiece in Morocco’s strategy to reach 52% renewable energy capacity by 2026.

Masen reported the output figures following a month of high temperatures and peak demand across the national grid, emphasising performance under real-world conditions rather than announcement-stage projections. Noor Midelt’s delivery rate is based on net output into the grid, not merely generation at source, and follows scrutiny from local and international observers wary of inflated clean energy claims in the region.

The Noor Midelt project represents a public-private partnership involving Masen, a consortium led by EDF Renewables, and engineering firm Sener. Construction began in 2019, but the project experienced several delays related to COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions, pushing partial operational launch to Q1 2024 and full commercial operation to late 2025. As of June 2024, Masen has not yet published independently audited annual generation data, but third-party monitors have corroborated the 80% summer peak figure for June and July.

Morocco’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Environment has positioned Noor Midelt as a template for scalable CSP technology in Africa. Achievement of the 80% output milestone is seen as an important step toward the national target of 52% renewable capacity and a test case for future large-scale CSP investments regionally. However, NGOs such as Transparency Maroc and Germanwatch continue to call for more transparent, independently verified performance reporting ahead of the 2026 SDG review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Noor Midelt CSP plant and where is it located?

Noor Midelt is a hybrid solar power plant using Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and photovoltaic systems. It is located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of central Morocco, developed under the oversight of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) with participation from international partners.

How significant is the 80% output achievement?

The 80% output means Noor Midelt delivered four-fifths of its planned summer capacity to the Moroccan grid during high-demand periods. This performance, reached under operational conditions in 2024, is seen as a strong indicator towards meeting Morocco’s 2026 renewables targets but is not yet fully confirmed by independent annual audits.

What challenges remain for Noor Midelt and Morocco’s renewable goals?

Noor Midelt faces ongoing challenges including ramping up to full capacity, reliably meeting output over full annual cycles, and addressing concerns over transparent, independently verified reporting. Delays due to pandemic disruptions and supply chains have already pushed back original timelines, making rigorous progress tracking essential for the 2026 SDG review.