RENEWABLE ENRGY, LARGE PROJECT IN MOROCCO, 500MW - SOLAR AND WIND POTENTIAL AT OUARZAZATE REGION, MOROCCO

摘要

More than 85% of Moroccan energy in use is imported. It is mostly oil which represents 10% of total Moroccan export income. Most of our energy supply and electricity are dominated by oil import which is a drain on the country economy. However, traditional forms of energy like wood and charcoal are remain widely in use throughout the country. This uncontrolled usage of wood and charcoal consists of 30% of the total energy consumption. This practice is not only damaging the environment and causes global warming but it is causing health damage especially for women in the Moroccan country side. The Moroccan Government policy is to reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels and to diversify on energy sources by using renewable energy (Hydropower, Wind Energy and Solar Energy) so that by 2020, it is predicted that Morocco will have 42% of their energy from Renewable Energy. Morocco is located between the Sahara Desert, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It has 3446 km of coastal line, then the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Atlas Mountains where Toubkal Mountain has a height of 4167 m above the sea level. Ouarzazate region is situated in the south of the country. It has solar potential more than wind potential (sunshine hours = 3400 hours/year, daily global irradiation = 5.5kWh/m2, daily direct normal irradiation = 7.22 kWh/m2), while wind potential is much lower than normal, (annual wind speed mean = 3m/s). Ouarzazate site ranks among the best Moroccan sunny ones. The region can accommodate the first largest integrated photovoltaic and thermal solar project plants, up to 500 MW for electricity production. The authority predicts that its commercial exploitation will be realized by 2015. In addition, Morocco has also planned to expand its wind power capacity to 1000 MW. Presently the wind power installation has reached 563 MW. So, Renewable Energy has become one of the main pillars of Moroccan energy. This is in addition to the government policy in rationalize the use of electricity and energy efficiency.