Located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco, the Quarzazate Solar Power Station (also called the Noor complex) is said to be the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant. According to the Climate Investment Funds finance group, it could produce enough energy to power over one million homes by 2018 and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 760,000 tons per year. With a total project expected to cost $9 billion, the plant is being built in three phases and in four parts. Last year, King Mohammed VI of Morocco officially started the first phase by literally turning on the switch on February 4th.
According to Morocco News, “Noor I is an important part of the Vision 2020 or 2030 plan to have Morocco relying upon clean and sustainable energy that can be sold to European nations and power residences and industries that strengthen Morocco’s economy and society. It is projected to employ thousands of Moroccans…
“Financed in part by the African and World Banks and the European Union, Noor I captures solar energy through the use of curved Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) parabolic mirrors that follow the sun rather than the comparatively less expensive photovoltaic panels. The panels may form the basis for the last plant, Noor IV that with Noor II and III will be constructed over the next few years.”
