• Noor Midelt II is located in Morocco’s Drâa-Tafilalet region.
• Initial output delivered: 120MW (June 2024); target: 800MW (October 2024).
• Project developers: MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy) and EDF Renewables.

Noor Midelt II represents a major step in Morocco’s renewable energy strategy, combining photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. The hybrid plant, situated near Midelt in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, is part of Morocco’s ambition to source 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Backed by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) and a consortium led by EDF Renewables, the plant has secured significant international financing, including from the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.

Delivery of the first 120MW to the national power grid in June 2024 marks a shift from construction to operation. According to MASEN, output will be ramped up to the full 800MW by October 2024, subject to successful operational tests and grid integration. The plant’s hybrid design enables solar generation both day and night, using molten salt thermal storage to dispatch power after sunset—a critical solution for addressing Morocco’s peak evening demand and energy security challenges.

Looking toward 2026, Noor Midelt II is expected to contribute over 1.7 terawatt-hours annually, enough to power more than 1.3 million Moroccan homes. While project backers cite its alignment with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), independent monitoring by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will be key for assessing actual emissions reductions and grid reliability impacts by 2026. Researchers caution that delivery of clean energy at scale must be verified, as some large projects have underperformed initial projections.

The Noor Midelt II announcement comes amid increased international scrutiny of “green megaprojects.” With the plant’s commercial operation still ramping up, stakeholders will need to track output, emissions reductions, and local economic impacts to guard against unsubstantiated green claims. Monitoring milestones beyond October 2024 will be essential to evaluate if Noor Midelt II delivers on its targeted contributions to Morocco’s SDG and climate goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Noor Midelt II different from other solar plants in Morocco?

Noor Midelt II is Morocco’s first large-scale hybrid plant, combining both photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) with thermal storage. This allows it to generate electricity during the day and after sunset, improving grid flexibility compared to conventional PV-only plants.

How is the project financed and who are the main stakeholders?

The plant is developed by MASEN and a consortium led by EDF Renewables, with financing from the European Investment Bank, World Bank, and other donors. These partnerships reflect international confidence in Morocco’s renewable sector.

What progress is expected by 2026 and how will it be verified?

By 2026, Noor Midelt II aims to reliably contribute over 1.7 TWh annually to Morocco’s grid with measurable emissions reductions. Independent bodies such as IRENA will monitor output and climate impacts to verify progress against SDG targets.