USTDA Supports Morocco's Efforts to Deploy Solar Energy

(USTDA) ARLINGTON, VA – Building on the Obama Administration's efforts to open overseas markets for clean energy technologies, USTDA is supporting the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) as it begins to deploy 500 MW of solar electricity near the city of Ouarzazate. During the signing ceremony attended by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, USTDA committed $642,000 to help demonstrate the applicability of concentrated solar power based on solar tower technology. Mr. Mustapha Bakkoury, President of MASEN, signed on behalf of MASEN, and Jane Kitson, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, signed on behalf of USTDA.

"This grant continues a strong relationship between USTDA and the Government of Morocco, and represents the beginning of our relationship with the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy," said USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak. "We are excited for the opportunity to work on such a high priority project in Morocco, and support U.S. technologies and business involvement in this exciting initiative."

The technical assistance will determine the impact of a CSP plant on the electrical power grid as well as evaluate power storage options and water usage. The implementation of renewable energy is critical to Morocco’s economic development as the country relies heavily on imported sources of energy to meet more than 97% of the country's energy needs.

The opportunity to conduct the USTDA-funded technical assistance will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. A link to the FBO announcement will be posted to USTDA's website at www.ustda.gov. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions in the FBO announcement. MASEN will select the U.S. contractor that will complete the technical assistance.

For more information, go to www.ustda.gov