Morocco has commissioned the phase I of the Noor-Ouarzazate concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, which is said to be the largest of its type in the world.
The three-plant Noor-Ouarzazate CSP complex is being developed as part of the Moroccan Solar Energy Program, which aims to have 2GW of installed solar power capacity by 2020 in order to reduce its dependency on oil for power generation.
Currently, Morocco sources 28% of the total electricity from renewable energy sources, Reuters reported.
The solar plant is expected to generate 580MW of energy, supplying power to 1.1 million Moroccans by 2018.
The power generated from Noor 1 is planned be sold at $0.19 per KWh.
Former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward Gabriel said: "Today’s launch in Ouarzazate means more and cleaner energy for Morocco, but also potentially for Africa."
The complex will help the country reach its goal of producing 42% of power from renewable sources by 2020 and 52% by 2030.
Phase II of the project involves construction of the 200MW Noor II CSP plant and the 150MW Noor III CSP plant, while the third phase includes development of the Noor IV CSP plant.
ACWA Power Ouarzazate, a consortium of ACWA Power, the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen), Aries and TSK, is responsible for the development of the project on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.
A consortium led by NOMAC, a subsidiary of ACWA Power, and Masen will operate and maintain the complex.