Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has issued an international tender for the construction of a $6.18 million hybrid solar-diesel power plant with battery storage in El Guerguarat, a border region critical for both energy access and strategic infrastructure.
The project will be built on a 10-hectare site and is slated for completion within 18 months, signaling a swift, targeted development timeline.
Project Specifications & Operational Design
- Solar Photovoltaic Capacity: 1.5 MWc
- Battery Energy Storage System (BESS): 1.5 MWh, to ensure smooth and stable electricity output
- Diesel Backup Generators: Two 1,000 kVA units plus two 500 kVA units will serve during low solar production or peak demand
- Electrical Infrastructure: Connected via a 22 kV distribution substation to manage energy flows and reliability
An Energy Management System (EMS) will operate as the project’s brain, intelligently orchestrating solar generation, battery storage cycles, and diesel activation to optimize reliability and efficiency.
Tender Requirements & Bidding Details
- Submission Deadline: Bids are due by September 25, with the opening session scheduled in Casablanca. A site visit is arranged for August 25 at the Birguandouz Diesel Plant (optional but encouraged).
- Financial Requirements: A provisional guarantee of MAD 1 million (~$100,000) is required, with bids valid for 120 days.
- Qualification Criteria:
- HTA/BT (High and Low Voltage Electrical Works): Must have ONEE accreditation or at least one completed project valued over MAD 5 million (~$500,000) in the past five years.
- Solar PV: J3 certification (class 1 or higher) or experience delivering a PV installation of at least 1.5 MWc valued over MAD 10 million (~$1M).
- Battery Storage: One project with ≥ 1 MWh BESS and cost over MAD 5 million within five years.
- Civil Engineering: A2 (class 3 or above) accreditation or civil projects worth over MAD 8 million (~$800,000).
- Subcontracting Rules:
- PV and BESS works must be performed directly by the bidder.
- Electrical and civil works may be subcontracted, but only to subcontractors also meeting the same qualifications.
- Local Preference: Moroccan firms, including cooperatives, unions, and solo entrepreneurs, benefit from a 15% evaluation margin, encouraging domestic participation.
Strategic Context & Broader Energy Strategy
Regional Development
This initiative builds on ONEE’s broader development in El Guerguarat, including a desalination plant that has been operational since November 8, 2023, underscoring a holistic push for sustainable infrastructure in remote regions.
National Energy Investment Drive
The project is a component of ONEE’s 2025–2030 investment program, involving around $22 billion (MAD 220 billion) aimed at accelerating Morocco’s energy transition. The goal: achieving 56% renewable energy penetration by the end of 2027 through large-scale deployment of renewables, storage systems, and grid upgrades.
Europe-Aligned Transition Goals
Morocco’s energy mix is actively shifting. In parallel initiatives, ONEE is pursuing several gas-fired power plants (e.g., a 990 MW project financed partly by domestic banks and set to come online by 2027), as well as green hydrogen pilots to decarbonize thermal power stations like Laayoune.
Further infrastructure upgrades include grid modernization and plans for a 3 GW North–South HVDC interconnection, which will enhance energy transfer from the south (like Dakhla) to urban centres, facilitating renewable integration.
Regional Comparisons
While this El Guerguarat project is modest in scale, $6.18 million, it’s strategically aligned with Morocco’s renewable ambitions. Comparatively, massive projects such as the Noor Midelt Phase 1 CSP-PV hybrid (800 MW) and the Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Noor I–III) reflect the country’s tiered approach: coupling smaller, targeted deployments with mega-scale renewable hubs.
Also read: How Large-Scale Solar Plus Storage is Transforming Uganda’s Energy Future
Impacts & Implications
- Boost to border-region sustainability
Providing reliable, locally generated electricity supports economic activity, security, and living conditions in El Guerguarat, a region critical for Morocco’s southern border management. - Operational Resilience
By combining solar PV, storage, and generators with an EMS on a small scale, the project becomes a living lab for resilient microgrid operations, a template for other off-grid or strategic sites. - Economic and Local Benefits
Strict qualification requirements, plus local preference margins, ensure that expertise, investments, and skilled labour circulate domestically. This can spur job creation and technology transfer within Morocco’s renewables sector. - Aligning with National Agenda
This deployment aligns with Morocco’s 2030 target of 52% renewables and the broader 2050 goal of 80%. The inclusion of flexible infrastructure like this builds grid flexibility needed to integrate intermittent sources. - Proof-of-Concept for Hybrid Systems
The El Guerguarat plant illustrates the viability of medium-scale hybrid systems. Successful operation could inform future investments, from rural electrification to industrial microgrids.
