CSP World

German state-owned bank KfW has approve a €654 million loan to finance the second and third phase of the Ouarzazate CSP complex -also known as Noor II and III- comprising two Concentrated Solar Power plants.

The bidding process for the plants is yet to be concluded. Last August, the Moroccan Solar Energy Agency (MASEN) announced the pre-qualified consortium to bid for the projects. The winners are expected to be disclosed in the coming weeks.

The second phase of the Ouarzazate Concentrated Solar Power complex (NOOR II) will comprise a roughly 200 MW parabolic trough plant with thermal energy storage. Three consortia have been selected to submit a bid:

• Abengoa SA and Abengoa Solar
• International Company For Water and Power Projects (ACWA) and SENER Grupo De Ingeneria SA
• International Power SA (Dubaï branch of GDF Suez) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC/MASDAR

In the case of the third phase (NOOR III), the plant is expected to be a 100 MW power tower with energy storage. Four applicants have passed the pre-qualification process:

• Abengoa SA and Abengoa Solar;
• EDF SA, EDF Energies Nouvelles SA, Brightsource Energy Inc, Brookstone Partners Morocco SA, Alstom Power System SA and Mitsui & Co Ltd
• International Company For Water and Power Projects (ACWA) and SENER Ingeneria y Systemas
• International Power SA (Dubaï branch of GDF Suez), Solar Reserve LLC and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC/MASDAR.

“We will lend 330 million euros for Noor II, and 324 million euros for Noor III, and we evaluate the first CSP plant contract at 1 billion Euros, while the second would reach 700 million euros,” Head of KFW North Africa & Middle East Wolfgang Reuss told to Reuters. “It is almost the half of the necessary funds,” he said.

The first phase is currently under construction by the winner consortia led by ACWA jointly with TSK and Aries. Ouarzazate 1 is a 160 MW parabolic trough plant with three hours of energy storage.

MASEN is waiting for approval for financing from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank, which are expected to provide roughly €300 million each.