Morocco’s southern region is fast emerging as a cornerstone of Africa’s clean‑energy future. This week, Omar Alaoui Mhamdi, Country General Manager of ACWA Power, highlighted the pivotal role of Boujdour and Laâyoune solar PV plants in demonstrating how Morocco is translating renewable ambition into operating capacity.
“These sites showcase world-class solar potential, with some of the highest irradiation levels on the planet,” he noted. Alongside solar, the region benefits from steady Atlantic winds surpassing 11 m/s on average conditions that make it one of the most promising places globally for hybrid solar‑wind generation.
By integrating solar PV with wind power and battery storage, ACWA Power is advancing projects capable of delivering baseload electricity, powered entirely by renewables. What was once a vision for Morocco’s energy transition is being realized at scale with affordable, reliable, and fast‑track solutions that support grid stability and energy security.
The Boujdour (~20 MW) and Laâyoune (~80–85 MW) PV plants, commissioned under Morocco’s Noor PV I program, laid the groundwork. Now, “Noor Boujdour II” a 350 MW expansion slated to begin construction in 2025 signals the next wave of capacity investment, aligned with Morocco’s long‑term strategy for 52% renewable generation by 2030.
Alaoui Mhamdi emphasized that progress in Boujdour and Laâyoune reflects not just solar panels and turbines, but the dedication of Moroccan engineers, technicians, and developers. “None of this would be possible without the expertise and commitment of our teams on the ground,” he said, crediting ACWA’s workforce and local partners with converting vision into reality.
Through initiatives like Boujdour and Laâyoune, Morocco is proving that baseload renewables are not a theoretical ambition but a scalable operating model. By coupling exceptional resources with technical capacity and strategic vision, the kingdom is strengthening its leadership in Africa’s energy transition.
As Alaoui Mhamdi put it, the projects are “building the foundation for a sustainable, sovereign, and competitive energy model” one in which Morocco doesn’t just deploy renewables, but shapes the next generation of energy solutions for the continent.
