Morocco: from Noor CSP pioneer to Europe's renewable energy supplier
Morocco's renewable capacity reached approximately 4.5 GW by Q1 2026, with the Noor solar complex (580 MW CSP + 70 MW PV) as the flagship. Two subsea power interconnectors to Europe — Spain (existing 1.4 GW) and UK (Xlinks project under development) — position Morocco as Europe's renewable power supplier through 2030.
In 50 words: Morocco's renewable capacity reached ~4.5 GW by Q1 2026. Noor solar complex (580 MW CSP + 70 MW PV) is the flagship. Two subsea power interconnectors to Europe — Spain (existing 1.4 GW) and UK (Xlinks project under development) — position Morocco as Europe's renewable energy supplier through 2030.
Where Morocco stands
Cumulative installed renewable capacity Q1 2026:
- Utility-scale solar (PV + CSP): 2.5 GW
- Onshore wind: 1.8 GW
- Hydro: 1.8 GW
- Other (biomass, small renewable): 0.2 GW
- Total renewable: ~6 GW (with hydro)
Morocco's 2030 target: 52% renewable installed capacity. Aggressive trajectory requires meaningful annual additions.
Noor solar complex — CSP pioneer
The Noor Ouarzazate solar complex was Morocco's signature renewable project, demonstrating CSP at scale when most of the world was abandoning the technology:
- Noor I: 160 MW parabolic trough CSP (operational 2016)
- Noor II: 200 MW parabolic trough CSP (operational 2018)
- Noor III: 150 MW tower CSP with 7-hour storage (operational 2018)
- Noor IV: 72 MW PV (operational 2019)
Despite CSP economics being challenged globally vs PV+BESS, the Noor complex provides Morocco with dispatchable renewable power that complements intermittent solar PV.
Subsea interconnectors — Europe's renewable supplier
Morocco's geographic position (closest African renewable resource to European load centres) makes it ideal for power export.
Morocco-Spain interconnector
- 1.4 GW existing capacity through two HVDC cables
- Largely operational since 1997, expanded since
- Enables Morocco-Spain bidirectional power trading
- Plans for capacity expansion to 2.4 GW
Xlinks Morocco-UK project
- Proposed 4,000 km subsea HVDC cable connecting Moroccan solar+wind+BESS to UK grid
- 3.6 GW capacity at UK-end
- Powered by 10.5 GW solar + 3.5 GW wind + 22.5 GWh BESS in Morocco
- Construction targeting 2027–2030
- Estimated capital cost: £22 billion ($28 billion)
- UK government supportive but final FID still pending
The Xlinks project, if completed, would be the most ambitious renewable energy interconnector globally.
Green hydrogen export ambitions
Morocco is positioning as green hydrogen / green ammonia exporter to Europe:
- 200,000 tonnes/year green hydrogen target by 2030
- Multiple project MOUs with European steel, fertilizer, refining buyers
- Strategic position: 2-3 days shipping to European industrial ports
Major developers
- MASEN (Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy) — state coordinator
- Acwa Power (Saudi)
- TotalEnergies (France)
- Engie (France)
- EDF Renewables (France)
- Iberdrola (Spain)
- Various Moroccan IPPs
What developers should know
For renewable developers and EPCs targeting Morocco:
- Strong opportunity in next-decade utility-scale solar + wind
- Joint ventures with Moroccan partners often required
- Government strongly supports renewable development
- Project finance from World Bank, AfDB, European DFIs available
- Industrial scale projects favoured
What to watch next
The Xlinks Morocco-UK project FID (expected 2027) would be a defining moment for transcontinental renewable energy trading. If FID achieved at announced economics, expect similar projects (Tunisia-Italy, Egypt-Greece, Saudi-EU) to follow.
Researched and drafted with AI assistance; reviewed and edited by the named author within 24 hours of draft.