MASEN: Noor Ouarzazate III Solar Power Plant Back in Operation

After more than a year offline, Morocco’s MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy) announced on Monday, April 21, that Noor Ouarzazate III solar power plant has resumed operations. The resumption of service is a necessary stage in maintaining the momentum of Morocco’s broader renewable energy strategy. 

Noor Ouarzazate III uses central tower Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, one of the most advanced systems in the renewable energy sector. The plant features over 7,400 heliostats, mirrors that track and reflect sunlight toward a receiver positioned atop a 243-meter-high tower. The intense heat captured is transferred to a heat-transfer fluid, which is then used to heat molten salts to temperatures as high as 565°C. 

This thermal energy is stored in large, insulated tanks, enabling the plant to continue producing electricity even after sunset. With over 7 hours of thermal storage capacity, Noor III plays a vital role in stabilizing the national grid and ensuring a reliable, low-carbon power supply. 

The plant was taken offline in February 2024 due to a leak in one of the hot molten salt storage system. The repair process required the technical expertise of MASEN and its partners and was carried out under strict safety and performance standards. 

As part of its long-term reliability strategy, MASEN has also begun constructing a second, upgraded thermal reservoir. This new component will support the existing system and enhance the overall resilience of the plant. 

With a capacity of 150 MW, Noor Ouarzazate III is part of the larger Noor solar complex, one of the largest solar installations in the world, boasting a total capacity of 580 MW. The facility is central to Morocco’s national energy strategy, which aims to generate more than 52% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. To date, over 4,680 MW of renewable energy capacity is already operational nationwide. 

Germany played a key role in the financing and implementation of this large-scale project. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) contributed approximately 830 million euros through the KfW Development Bank, out of a total investment of 2 billion euros. 

The successful restart of Noor Ouarzazate III not only demonstrates Morocco’s technical capabilities but also reinforces its determination to become a leading regional player in the clean energy transition.