Morocco’s National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (Onee) has yet to appoint a transaction adviser for its planned battery energy storage projects.

A local media report, citing Onee, reported that the North African state plans to invite bids for a battery energy storage system (bess) project with a capacity of nearly 1,600MW.

The project is understood to be part of a long-term programme to expand renewable energy sources in the state.

The bess plants will be built in northwest Morocco and supply power to Kenitra and nearby areas, the report said.

An industry source, however, said that Onee has yet to hire a transaction adviser for the project.

It will be Onee’s first foray into procuring independent battery energy storage plants.

The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) recently tendered and received bids for contracts to develop solar independent power projects with associated battery storage plants.

Riyadh-based utility developer and investor Acwa Power is leading a team that submitted the winning bids for the contracts to develop the Noor Midelt 2 and Noor Midelt 3 solar IPP schemes, which each have a capacity of 400MW with attached battery energy storage plants.

Masen received and opened bids for both contracts on 12 December.

Clean energy target

Morocco has set a target of producing 52% of its energy from clean sources by 2030, one of the most ambitious targets in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Morocco aims to increase its renewable capacity to 10,000MW by 2030. Solar PV capacity is expected to comprise 4,500MW, with wind and hydroelectric comprising 4,200MW and 1,300MW, respectively.