Saudi-listed ACWA Power strengthens its renewable energy footprint in North Africa with major solar contract win.
Rabat, Morocco – Saudi Arabia’s energy giant ACWA Power has been awarded the contracts to develop and operate the Noor Midelt II and Noor Midelt III solar power projects in Morocco, with a combined capacity of 800 megawatts (MW), according to reports from local media including Al3omk.
Each of the two photovoltaic (PV) plants will deliver 400 MW of clean energy and will be integrated with advanced Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The storage system will offer a total capacity of 602 megawatt-hours (MWh) and is capable of discharging 230 MW of power over a two-hour window—enhancing grid reliability and supporting Morocco’s growing renewable energy infrastructure.
30-Year Agreement Under BOO Model
The projects will be executed under a Build–Own–Operate (BOO) model and are backed by a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN). This long-term commitment underscores Morocco’s ambition to scale up its renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Originally, Noor Midelt II and III were conceived as hybrid solar plants combining both photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (PV-CSP) technologies, each with a planned capacity of 500 MW. However, evolving technology trends and cost considerations have led to a shift towards more cost-effective PV and battery-based solutions.
A Shift in Morocco’s Solar Strategy
The awarding of Noor Midelt II and III to ACWA Power comes after the Noor Midelt Phase I project—a 800 MW hybrid PV-CSP initiative awarded in 2019 to a consortium of EDF Renewables, Masdar, and Green of Africa—faced construction delays. In early 2024, Morocco’s Ministry of Energy and grid operator ONEE reportedly recommended replacing the project’s CSP component with PV or battery storage to align with newer energy strategies and financing models.
ACWA Power, a longtime energy partner in Morocco, was also in the spotlight earlier this year due to a forced outage at its 150 MW Noor III CSP plant in Ouarzazate. The outage, caused by a leak in the molten salt tank that supports its seven-hour thermal storage system, temporarily halted operations. However, in April 2025, MASEN confirmed that the plant had resumed operations and was back online.
Expanding ACWA Power’s Presence in Morocco
With this new contract, ACWA Power further expands its already substantial portfolio in Morocco. The company currently operates and maintains seven power projects across the country with a combined installed capacity of 765 MW, representing a total investment of approximately 12 billion Saudi riyals ($3.2 billion).
This latest win not only reaffirms ACWA Power’s leadership in utility-scale renewable energy but also supports Morocco’s broader renewable energy goals, which include generating 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
As the Kingdom continues to pivot toward sustainable and secure energy solutions, partnerships with regional and global players like ACWA Power are poised to play a critical role in powering the future of North Africa’s energy landscape.
