UN 
- 800MW delivered to Morocco’s national grid in 2024
- Full 1.2GW capacity targeted for September 2026
- Project led by MASEN, with €740 million in World Bank and EIB funding
The Noor Midelt project, located in Morocco’s Drâa-Tafilalet region, represents one of Africa’s largest solar hybrid plants, blending PV and CSP to provide both immediate and dispatchable renewable power. The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) oversees the development, which is central to Morocco’s plan to generate over 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. According to MASEN’s June 2024 release, the plant currently supplies 800MW to the national grid, a significant step towards the eventual 1,200MW target.
Major funding for Noor Midelt comes from international partners, including a €400 million loan from the World Bank and €340 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The hybrid model addresses grid intermittency by using CSP storage to provide power after sunset, a design hailed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as a model for emerging markets. Morocco’s Ministry of Energy reports that grid integration of solar and wind has kept the nation on track for its 2026 interim targets, despite regional drought and supply chain pressures.
While the project’s technical delivery is noteworthy, experts caution against overstatement of impact before full commissioning. The Climate Action Tracker notes that while 800MW is operational, further milestones—including storage performance and grid reliability—are still to be validated. NGOs such as Transparency International have called for open reporting on actual power output and avoided emissions, to ensure claims of climate impact are substantiated and to guard against greenwashing.
Looking ahead to September 2026, MASEN projects Noor Midelt will be fully operational, providing over 3,600 GWh annually—enough to power roughly 1.3 million Moroccan homes. Policymakers see this as a critical benchmark for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) progress, as well as for Morocco’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments under the Paris Agreement. The project’s delivery will be closely watched in the run-up to COP28 and subsequent global stocktakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Noor Midelt Solar Hybrid Project?
The Noor Midelt project is a large-scale hybrid solar plant in Morocco that combines photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. It aims to deliver 1,200MW capacity, providing renewable, dispatchable electricity and supporting Morocco’s energy transition targets.
Who funds and manages the Noor Midelt project?
The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) manages Noor Midelt. Key funders include the World Bank (€400 million) and the European Investment Bank (€340 million). Additional support comes from Moroccan government sources and international climate finance partners.
How does Noor Midelt contribute to Morocco’s energy and climate goals?
Noor Midelt is pivotal to Morocco’s strategy to reach more than 52% renewable electricity by 2030. With its hybrid design, the project provides grid stability and supports Morocco’s SDG 7 and Paris Agreement climate targets. Delivery of full capacity by September 2026 is seen as a crucial milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Noor Midelt Solar Hybrid Project?
The Noor Midelt Solar Hybrid Project is a large-scale solar plant in Morocco that combines photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies to deliver renewable electricity, with a target capacity of 1,200MW.
How much energy has Noor Midelt delivered so far?
As of June 2024, Noor Midelt has delivered 800MW of renewable energy to Morocco’s national grid.
Who is funding and managing the Noor Midelt project?
The project is managed by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) and funded by the World Bank (€400 million), the European Investment Bank (€340 million), and other partners.
When will Noor Midelt reach full capacity?
Noor Midelt is expected to reach its full 1,200MW capacity by September 2026.
How does Noor Midelt address grid intermittency?
The plant uses CSP storage to provide dispatchable power after sunset, helping to stabilize the grid and address intermittency issues.
