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Economy

Molten Salt Leak Halts Operations at Morocco's Noor III Solar Power Plant Until Late 2024

Monday 25 March 2024 - 10:46

Morocco's ambitious venture into concentrated solar power (CSP) suffered a significant setback with the shutdown of the Noor III plant in Ouarzazate, following a substantial leak in its molten salt storage tank. The $3.9 billion facility, boasting the world's tallest solar power tower at 243 meters, now stands silent until November 2024, as announced by ACWA Power, the plant's operator.

The Saudi Arabian company, holding a 75% stake in the project, cited a "non-trivial" molten salt leak as the cause for the shutdown. Initial estimates indicate a loss of $47 million, prompting ACWA Power to deliberate between repairing the existing tank or constructing a new molten salt reservoir from scratch.

Since its inception in 2018, the 150-megawatt Noor III has been a cornerstone of Morocco's vision to emerge as a solar energy leader. Its utilization of cutting-edge molten salt heat storage allowed for electricity generation for up to seven hours after sunset, setting a precedent in the industry. Noor III forms a vital component of the larger Noor Ouarzazate solar complex, the world's first utility-scale multi-technology solar park upon completion.

However, the future of concentrated solar power technology in Morocco faces uncertainty. A 2020 report from the country's economic advisory council recommended shifting away from capital-intensive CSP projects in favor of more economical photovoltaic and wind initiatives. Morocco currently lags behind its 2020 target of 2 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, with only 831 MW currently operational.

As the salt tanks of Noor III remain dormant for over a year and a half, Morocco's transition towards clean energy hangs in the balance. The relentless Saharan sun, once a beacon of hope, now risks being overshadowed by the persistent influence of coal across the Kingdom.

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