Morocco's future lies in solar energy

Last Monday in Ouarzazate, Amina Benkhadra, the Moroccan Minister of Energy, announced a ambitious solar energy project estimated at 9 billion dollars (€6.7 billion). This country enjoys nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.

The project consists of the construction of five solar power plants by 2020. And although it is extremely costly, it is in the long term that Morocco's economy will benefit. Indeed, it is expected to provide, thanks to the photovoltaic panels and solar thermal energy mechanisms that will be installed, approximately 2000 megawatts, or 42% of Morocco's electrical needs. As Mohammed Garoum, president of the Moroccan-French Association for Energy and the Environment, says, I find that it is “A very good initiative”.

The video below discusses the project and dates from the end of 2009: