Morocco is building one of the biggest solar power plants worldwide on the edge of the Sahara desert. The project is largely funded by the EU. The huge 160-megawatt first phase of the Noor plant contrasts with efforts by other nations that are focused on building tiny roof-top solar panels to bring power to remote rural homes. Curved mirrors totaling 1.5 million square meters (16 million square feet) and the size of about 200 soccer pitches, capture the sun’s heat. Even though it is not economically competitive with cheaper fossil fuels, it is a step to develop new technologies as prices for solar power fall. Morocco aims to get 52 percent of its electricity from clean energy such as wind and solar by 2030. Once it is built, the power plant will generate up to 580 MW.
Thomas Reuters Foundation
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