Morocco has finalised financing and inked power purchase agreements for a 305-megawatt solar initiative, accelerating its move toward decentralised renewable energy and establishing a funding model that could influence other projects across the continent.
The Noor Atlas programme will feature six photovoltaic plants located in Jerada, Errachidia, Figuig, Boulemane, Tata, and Tan-Tan. Construction is underway, with electricity expected to be fed into the national grid by July 2027.
The project is spearheaded by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen), while the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) will buy the generated electricity through long-term contracts that support the project’s financial viability.
The programme obtained roughly 2.8 billion dirhams in funding via a combination of concessional loans and commercial financing. Development banks such as Germany’s KfW and the European Investment Bank are providing development finance, while Bank of Africa arranged commercial loans.
Blended financing approaches like this are becoming increasingly common in African energy projects, as governments and developers aim to attract private investment while insulating initiatives from currency fluctuations and high borrowing costs that have historically hindered infrastructure development.
Noor Atlas marks a strategic departure from Morocco’s prior emphasis on large-scale solar facilities such as Noor Ouarzazate, focusing instead on smaller plants distributed across multiple regions.
Spreading generation across six provinces is expected to enhance grid reliability, reduce transmission losses, and deliver renewable electricity closer to underserved communities, lowering dependence on a few centralised stations.
Morocco’s heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels makes energy security a core policy concern.
Increasing solar capacity aims to shield the country from global fuel price volatility while contributing to climate goals and long-term renewable energy targets.
Once operational, the Noor Atlas facilities will add 305MW of solar power to the national grid, supporting Morocco’s ambition to source the majority of its electricity from renewable sources within the next decade.
Construction will be undertaken by consortia of Moroccan and European companies, fostering technology transfer and building domestic expertise in solar engineering, installation, and maintenance.
The government anticipates that the programme will create employment opportunities during construction and strengthen local manufacturers and service providers linked to the renewable energy sector.