MOROCCAN SUN

Nurturing Low Carbon Economy in Morocco; Concentrated Solar Power plant of Ain Beni Mathar is now supplying electricity to the Moroccan grid.
November 8, 2010 (World of Renewables)

"The Concentrated Solar Power plant of Ain Beni Mathar is a first in the world…[It] is now supplying electricity to the Moroccan grid. Located in the East of Morocco near the Algerian border, it will provide numerous lessons for further diffusion of concentrated solar power technology.

"This plant uses a cutting edge design, combining a large array of 224 parabolic mirror collectors concentrating sun energy and boosting the steam output needed to produce electricity in this 470MW facility. Two other plants with similar design will soon be commissioned in Egypt and Algeria."

The parabolic troughs of Ain Beni Mathar (click to enlarge)

"The Ain Beni Mathar plant provides solar electricity produced with low CO2 emissions...The plant will also help expand the skill base in Morocco to construct and operate such facilities. The plant created dozens of new jobs and supports the local economy.

"Morocco is accelerating investment in several options to expand a low carbon economy, including energy efficiency measures, wind electricity and low emissions public transport solutions."