Morocco invites bids for 1,000 km renewable energy network

Morocco has invited bids for the construction of a 1,000km renewable energy network linking its central region with the disputed Western Sahara in the south.

Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE) said the engineering, procurement and construction contract involves building ultra-high voltage alternating current transmission lines between the Boujdour and Tensift regions.

The project represents a strategic infrastructure investment designed to strengthen Morocco’s national electricity grid and support the country’s energy transition goals, ONEE said, adding that bidding must be completed by January 15.

The power lines are scheduled to begin operations in December 2028, ONEE said in a statement on its website.

The infrastructure will carry nearly 2,000 megawatts of renewable electricity capacity to meet growing demand and facilitate large-scale renewable energy integration, it said.

“The Boujdour-Tensift connection will serve a critical function in Morocco’s energy infrastructure. The transmission system will carry new renewable energy capacity being developed in southern regions toward the country’s central areas,” it said.

“This integration will optimize renewable-energy utilisation within the national grid while strengthening electricity-supply security – aligned with Morocco’s ambition to source 52 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030.”

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Morocco, which is bracing to co-host the Fifa World Cup in 2030, has embarked on large-scale projects to expand reliance on renewable energy, mainly solar power.

Minister of energy transition Leila Benali said in July that Morocco needs to invest more than $40 billion to achieve its national energy goals.

“We need to invest more than $20 billion in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and another $20 billion in the interconnection between Africa and Europe,” she said.

She noted that renewable resources contribute more than 45 percent to Morocco’s electricity and are on track to reach 52 percent ahead of Morocco’s 2030 target.