The Moroccan Agency For Solar Energy (MASEN) has selected a consortium of Saudi companies to build its 160 MW CSP project in Ouarzazate.
The consortium, which was awarded a $1bn contract for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the plant, consists of ACWA Power International (95%) and Aries - TSC (Spanish companies, owing 5% together). Two other consortia were involved in the final selection process: Enel-ACS and Abeinsa-Abengoa Solar-Mitsui-Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.
ACWA will sub-contract the construction to a consortium of Acciona (37.5%), TSK and Sener, which will supply Sener's cylindrical-parabolic collector technology and a molten salts storage system capable of generating electricity even in the absence of sunlight.
Construction is expected to start before the end of 2012 and to last two years. The plant could be commissioned in late 2014.
The 160 MW CSP project in Ouarzazate is part of the $9bn Moroccan Solar Plan, a national programme aiming at producing 2 GW of solar capacity by 2020 (38% of the power capacity). MASEN will also issue tenders for a 50 MW PV power plant and for CSP towers of at least 50 MW.