• Noor Midelt’s total operational solar capacity now stands at 800 MW as of August 2024.
• MASEN aims to commission 5 hours of hybrid (PV+CSP) storage by the end of 2026.
• The $800 million project serves over 1 million Moroccans and supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

The Noor Midelt solar complex, located in Morocco’s Drâa-Tafilalet region, is a flagship clean energy initiative developed by MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy). The facility integrates both photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, with the final 200 MW PV block brought online in August 2024 amid record-breaking summer temperatures. This expansion increases the site’s total operational capacity to 800 MW, reinforcing Morocco’s leadership in renewable power on the African continent.

MASEN and its partners have publicly committed to making Noor Midelt the country’s first large-scale site with hybrid energy storage, leveraging both PV and CSP. The project’s next major benchmark is to deploy at least 5 hours of storage capacity by late 2026, supporting nighttime power delivery and grid stability. However, industry sources confirm that as of Q3 2024, storage procurement and integration remain at the design and tendering stage, with no commercial storage assets yet operational onsite.

The financial and political backing for Noor Midelt is significant, including support from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank. Total investment in the project is estimated at $800 million to date. When fully realised, MASEN forecasts Noor Midelt will deliver enough electricity for over 1 million Moroccans and cut national CO2 emissions by 760,000 tonnes annually. Nonetheless, some civil society groups have flagged the gap between announced ambitions and on-ground delivery, particularly regarding storage and water resource management.

If the planned storage milestone is achieved in 2026, Noor Midelt will mark a regional first in hybrid energy storage at utility scale—providing vital learning for similar projects across North Africa and the Middle East. Until then, stakeholders urge independent monitoring and transparent reporting to distinguish between policy pledges and measurable, SDG-aligned progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current operational capacity of the Noor Midelt solar project?

As of August 2024, Noor Midelt’s operational solar capacity stands at 800 MW, combining both photovoltaic and concentrated solar power units. The latest 200 MW block was connected to the grid under MASEN’s direction during an extreme heatwave, further solidifying Morocco’s renewable infrastructure.

When is the energy storage component expected to be online?

MASEN targets end-2026 for commissioning at least 5 hours of hybrid (PV+CSP) storage at Noor Midelt. As of mid-2024, storage solutions remain under procurement and no commercial-scale deployment has occurred yet. Monitoring progress toward this milestone is advised.

How does Noor Midelt contribute to Morocco’s SDG and emission targets?

Noor Midelt is central to Morocco’s strategy for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and national climate goals. When fully operational with storage, it is expected to supply clean electricity to over 1 million people and cut 760,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Progress hinges on timely delivery of storage by 2026.