The Moroccan village that is 100% powered by solar light
So much has happened during this year… Although it may seem that in the wake of the pandemic every other issue has taken a back seat, this is not the case. Many of the concerns we had before are still there and others have been exacerbated.
The 2019 Climate Summit in Madrid highlighted the urgent need to stop climate change. Since the emergence of man and his massive and detrimental use of resources, ecosystems have been gradually degraded and more and more nature-related problems are arising that did not exist before.
Pollution is a fact that is difficult to eradicate because many of the activities that take part in the industrial and capitalist system in which we live release products that are harmful to the environment.
The importance of clean energy in Morocco
Since 2009, Morocco has been aiming to embark on a profound ecological transition in order to achieve 52% of its electricity consumption from renewable energy by 2030, and to reduce its electricity consumption to 96% using renewable energy by 2050.
If this goal is achieved – which experts say is highly likely – Morocco could become a world leader in the production of renewable resources.
According to a report by the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), this energy transition would result in a 12% reduction in the country’s energy bill, or in other words, USD 7.6 billion that could be allocated to another sector.
Morocco currently ranks among the 30 most attractive countries to invest in renewable energy, at number 18. The Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) bases its calculations on technological advances and forecasts the possibilities of each country to accelerate low carbon emissions and the importance of renewable energies in the medium term.
The proportion of renewable energy use in the country has also been growing considerably for more than ten years and now accounts for 34% of installed electricity, 11% for wind, 16% for hydro and 7% for solar.
The village that is powered entirely by solar energy
To achieve this goal, the Maghreb country has invested in the construction of the largest solar plant in the world: the Noor Ouarzazate project. Designed in Id Mjahdi, a village near Ouarzazate, this initiative provides the electricity needed to supply an entire village with solar energy.
Located in the Essaouira region, this solar plantation is one of the largest solar farms in the world. A project that exemplifies Morocco’s willingness to invest in green energy.
This pilot village is intended to be a sample of what Morocco could become in the future. Although there are currently just over 50 people living in the village, we know that with 32 photovoltaic panels, the electricity needs of each and every person are satisfactorily covered, not only in homes, but also in public buildings such as schools.
The educational centre we are referring to is already known to be in operation and has classrooms, a playground and a sports field where the energy is renewable and environmentally responsible. This initiative aims to be an example for all young people to follow on the conscious use and effective use of resources.
Tarfaya, Aftissat, Akhfennir and others such as Noor Midelt I and Noor Midelt II are some of the solar ambitions that Morocco is concentrating on developing along with other wind energy projects.