Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has issued an international tender for the construction of a hybrid solar-diesel power plant with battery storage in Guerguarat, a strategic border town in Western Sahara. The project, estimated at 61.8 million Moroccan dirhams ($6.18 million), is slated for completion within 18 months, according to local media reports.
The plant, to be built on a 10-hectare site, will combine 1.5 MWac of solar photovoltaic capacity with a 1.5 MWh battery storage system, ensuring renewable energy integration. To guarantee round-the-clock supply, the facility will include two 1000 kVA and two 500 kVA diesel generators, alongside a 22 kV substation to regulate the energy mix.
The initiative builds on Morocco’s broader strategy to become a renewable energy leader in Africa, following its flagship solar mega-project Noor Ouarzazate, one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power complexes. It also complements a water desalination unit launched in November 2023 in the same region, underscoring the government’s focus on sustainable infrastructure in remote and strategic areas.
“Hybrid plants like Guerguarat are crucial in addressing intermittency challenges of solar power while reducing dependence on costly imported diesel,” said Dr. Amina Belkacem, an energy transition expert at the African Climate Policy Center. She noted that Morocco’s investments in renewables could save “tens of millions of dollars annually in fuel imports while creating resilient local energy systems.”
Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is seen as geopolitically significant, as Guerguarat sits on the trade route linking Morocco with sub-Saharan Africa. Reliable power supply is expected to support border trade, logistics hubs, and new small businesses, creating local employment opportunities. Analysts argue that this small-scale project represents a replicable model for off-grid and semi-grid African regions, where energy poverty remains a pressing challenge.
The hybrid plant also aligns with Morocco’s goal to generate 52% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, reinforcing its image as a pioneer in sustainable energy across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Interested companies must submit bids by September 25, 2025, with an official opening session at ONEE’s Casablanca headquarters. To encourage competitive proposals, a site visit has been scheduled for August 25 at the Birguandouz Diesel Plant.
If awarded and executed on time, the Guerguarat project could serve as a blueprint for future hybrid plants across Africa, marrying renewable energy with storage and backup systems to deliver reliable electricity in underserved regions.
