The Noor Ouarzazate III solar power plant , located in southern Morocco, has successfully resumed electricity production, after a technical shutdown that began in February 2024 due to a leak in the molten salt thermal storage system.
This important component, essential for ensuring continuous power production even during the night, had suffered a critical failure that required high-level specialized intervention.
The capacity of the Noor Ouarzazate III solar power plant
[post_relacionado]Commissioned in 2018, Noor Ouarzazate III is part of a mega-solar complex in the Ouarzazate region and is one of the flagship projects of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN). Using concentrated solar technology using heliostats and a central tower, the plant is capable of storing thermal energy at temperatures of up to 565°C, allowing it to continue producing electricity even after sunset.
The leak detected in the molten salt tank briefly disrupted the plant’s operations, resulting in an estimated loss of $45 million. However, Masen ‘s technical team and its partners worked together to repair the fault, allowing the plant to restart under strict safety and operational efficiency protocols.
Future plans
In the long term, as part of the strategy to improve plant reliability, a new storage tank with an improved design is being built. This expansion will strengthen the infrastructure of Noor Ouarzazate III, ensuring its resilience to future challenges and significantly contributing to Morocco’s energy transition goals.
The Noor III plant is once again a key pillar of the country’s renewable energy production, aligning with the Moroccan government’s commitment to achieving more than 52% clean energy in its energy mix by 2030.
Tarik Ameziane Moufaddal, President of Masen, said:
This resumption is the result of the extensive mobilization of our teams on the ground. These operations are carried out in a demanding technical environment.
The restart of Noor Ouarzazate III underscores Morocco’s commitment to its national energy transition strategy, which has placed renewable energy at the heart of its economic development. With a capacity of over 4,600 MW across solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects, Morocco is positioned as a regional leader in clean energy generation.
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Source and photo: Masen