Name and location
Ain/Beni/Mathar thermal-solar energy plant, Morocco.

Project description
The project will consist of a conventional combined-cycle thermal power station working with natural gas from the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline.

This system will be fortified with solar energy from a field of parabolic trough mirrors, with a total surface area of about 220 000 m².

The plant will have an installed capacity to generate 472 MW of electricity, including 20 MW from the solar component.

The electricity generated by the power station will be evacuated through three 225-kV lines to two 225-kV stations, in Bourdim, and one 225-kV station, in Jérada.

Value
The cost of the project is estimated at €400-million.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) will partially finance the project with two loans amounting to €287,85-million, of which €36,45-million was approved in March 2005 and € 151,40-million in December 2007.

Other sources of funding include $43,20-million from the Global Environment Fund (GEF), a loan of €43-million from the Spanish Development Agency and the National Electricity Corporation of Morocco.

Duration
The project is expected to take four years to complete.

Breakdown of main contracts
Not stated.

Client
National Electricity Authority of Morocco.

Latest developments
The foundation stone for the project was laid at the end of March and marked the start of works on the project.

Participants
AfDB, GEF, the Spanish Development Agency and the National Electricity Corporation of Morocco (finance).

Construction materials
Not stated.

On budget and on time?
Not stated.

Contact details for project information
National Electricity Authority of Morocca,
tel +212 22 66 80 80 or fax +212 22 22 00 38.