NOOR 1 CSP IPP at Ouarzazate by ACWA Power Consortium Saves SAR 900 million to Morocco
On Saturday 15th June 2013, ACWA Power announced that construction is progressing in full swing at the 160 MWe NOOR 1 (Ouarzazate) CSP IPP pursuant to all permits and clearances having been achieved.
The contracted tariff of US$ Cents 18.9 per kWh offered by ACWA Power consortium, the lowest ever ascribed to date for Concentrated Solar Power Technology, which was 29% lower than the second bidders competing tariff representing a saving of SAR 900 Million to the Moroccan consumer has which has not only created value for Morocco but also has revitalized the relevance of CSP as a competitive solar power technology.
Abunayyan went on to say:
In addition to achieving local industrial integration, ACWA Power is seeking to collaborate with Moroccan companies, universities and research centers to transfer knowledge in solar power with the emphasis on localizing technology. ACWA Power has already instated the development of a joint R&D program focusing on CSP between King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), and Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR). The economic, academic and R&D collaboration between the two Kingdoms is a result of the well-established social relationship between the two countries and the shared cultural heritage.