Morocco is home to world’s largest concentrated solar farm
Updated
10:07 AM EDT, Tue July 16, 2019
Link Copied!
Morocco is home to the world's largest concentrated solar farm.
Masen
Stretching more than 3,000 hectares in area, the farm is capable of powering more than one million homes.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
That's enough electricity to power a city the size of Prague, or twice the size of Marrakesh!
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Situated at the gateway to the Sahara Desert, the whole complex provides 580 megawatts -- saving the planet from over 760,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Jon Jensen/CNN
Morocco has one of most ambitious energy targets in the world. The goal is for 42% of its power to come from renewable sources by 2020.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The country is well on track to hit its target too with 35% of its energy is already renewable thanks to sites such as Noor Ouarzazate.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"Electricity demand has doubled since 2010 and by 2030 we want Morocco to be one of the first countries in the world for renewables to exceed share of fossil energy," Yassir Badih, senior project manager at Masen told CNN.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
It is also home to a 243-meter tower, the tallest in Africa, which houses molten salt which is melted to create energy.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Imported fossil fuels currently provide for 97% of Morocco's energy need, according to World Bank. As a result the country is keen to diversify and start using renewable energy.