The future hybrid plant in El Guerguerat, Morocco, is awaiting investment
The National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has announced a tender campaign dedicated to both national and international investment in the future hybrid power plant in El Guerguerat, based on solar and diesel energy and equipped with a battery storage system.
The 10-hectare project is estimated to cost more than 6 million dollars and take 18 months to build.
The project once again reflects the Kingdom of Morocco's commitment to supplying its border areas with energy in a sustainable manner, as the country is on a path towards renewable energy.
In 2021, ONEE Director General Abderrahim El Hafidi launched several large-scale energy supply projects in the area. At that time, he secured memoranda with the province of Aousserd, the region of Dakhla-Oued Eddabah, the municipality of Bir Gandouz, the Agency for Economic Promotion and Social Development of the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom of Morocco and the directorates-general of the local authorities.
The new future power plant in El Guerguerat will work to meet energy needs with renewable production, storage and backup generators. According to Medias 24, it will have ‘a capacity of 1.5 MWp alongside a 1.5 MWh battery storage system to stabilise electricity production’.
The media outlet added that there will also be a diesel component to provide energy when there is not enough from sunlight or, at critical times, two 1,000 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) generators, two 500 kVA units and a 22 kilovolt (kV) distribution substation.
According to Morocco World News, companies interested in investing in the power plant have until 25 September to submit their applications. In addition, ONEE recommends that they attend the guided tour of the Birguandouz diesel plant on 25 August.
However, companies must provide a provisional guarantee of 100,000 dollars, valid for 120 days, as proof of their commitment to the project. Interested parties must also demonstrate that they have had annual profits of 3 million dollars or more over the last three years.
For the electrical aspect, investors must have ‘HTA/BT3’ accreditation for high-voltage transformer substations, or proof that they have completed a project worth at least 500,000 dollars in recent years.
As for solar panels, a ‘J3’ certification or similar proof of a project worth at least 1 million dollars in the last five years is required. Similarly, civil engineering must be at least level 3 or have been involved in a project worth at least 800,000 dollars in the last five years.
The installation of photovoltaic systems and battery storage systems will be the responsibility of the investor in charge, while high-voltage transformer substations and civil engineering may be managed by another party, provided they are qualified.
With this initiative, and if the efforts of Moroccan institutions continue at the same pace, Morocco is expected to achieve a 56% increase in its sustainable progress by the end of 2027.
