Morocco has officially launched the construction of the Noor Atlas solar programme, a major renewable energy project that will add 305 megawatts of solar power capacity to the country’s electricity grid as part of its broader transition toward clean energy.
The programme consists of six solar power plants that will collectively produce 305MW of electricity and is expected to become operational by July 2027. The project represents one of Morocco’s latest efforts to expand renewable energy production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The initiative is being implemented through collaboration between the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, commonly known as ONEE. Both institutions have signed power purchase agreements that will allow the electricity generated by the solar plants to be integrated into Morocco’s national power system.
The Noor Atlas programme is valued at approximately 2.8 billion Moroccan dirhams, equivalent to about 306 million dollars. Financing for the project combines concessionary loans and commercial financing from a mix of domestic and international financial institutions.
Among the main lenders supporting the initiative is Bank of Africa, which is providing part of the commercial financing. Additional support is being provided through concessional funding linked to international development partners including KfW and the European Investment Bank, both of which have played a major role in financing renewable energy projects across Africa.
The Noor Atlas programme forms part of Morocco’s long term national strategy to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s electricity mix. Over the past decade, Morocco has positioned itself as one of Africa’s leaders in renewable energy development, investing heavily in solar and wind power infrastructure.
The country already hosts several large scale solar projects under the Noor brand, including facilities located near Ouarzazate, which house some of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world. These projects have helped establish Morocco as a regional hub for solar energy innovation and investment.
Officials say the Noor Atlas programme is designed not only to expand electricity generation capacity but also to strengthen energy security as demand for power continues to rise. By increasing the supply of domestically produced renewable energy, the country aims to reduce dependence on imported energy resources.
The six solar plants that make up the programme will be distributed across several regions of Morocco to improve the stability and resilience of the national electricity network. This decentralised approach allows energy production to be closer to consumption areas, helping reduce transmission losses and improve reliability.
Energy analysts note that Morocco’s renewable energy expansion is closely linked to its climate commitments and long term economic development plans. The government has set ambitious targets to ensure that more than half of its installed electricity generation capacity comes from renewable sources within the next decade.
International financial institutions have shown strong interest in supporting Morocco’s green energy ambitions. Development banks such as KfW and the European Investment Bank have provided financing and technical support for several renewable energy projects across the country, recognising Morocco’s role as a pioneer in clean energy development in Africa.
The Noor Atlas project is also expected to contribute to local economic development by creating employment opportunities during the construction phase and supporting technical capacity building within the renewable energy sector.
By investing in solar infrastructure, Morocco is positioning itself to meet growing domestic energy demand while also strengthening its role in regional energy markets. The country has already explored opportunities to export renewable electricity to neighbouring regions through cross border energy cooperation.
With construction now underway and commissioning scheduled for mid 2027, the Noor Atlas programme represents another milestone in Morocco’s push toward a low carbon energy future.
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