The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) has taken a significant step in implementing its solar roadmap. The institution is preparing to develop twelve new photovoltaic power plants across the Kingdom by launching a comprehensive national solar measurement campaign aimed at accurately assessing the energy potential of the proposed sites.
This initiative, deemed critical for future solar projects, will rely on the collection of high-quality solar and meteorological data. To this end, Masen plans to recruit an expert through a tender process, who will be responsible for deploying and operating measurement stations at twelve sites nationwide. The collected data will serve as the foundation for technical and economic feasibility studies, as well as the precise sizing of photovoltaic installations in the preparation phase.
Two-Year Measurement Period
The mission assigned to the selected expert will span 24 months per site, from the commissioning of the measurement stations to the establishment of fully exploitable databases. The goal is to have continuous and reliable information essential for evaluating the expected performance of the plants and reducing technical uncertainties associated with the projects.
The measurement campaigns will cover a wide range of parameters. In addition to solar radiation, they will include key meteorological data such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, precipitation, gusts, and wind direction variability. The system will also monitor the performance and degradation of photovoltaic panels and metal structures. Masen aims for a data availability rate exceeding 96% for each station, ensuring the reliability of future analyses.
A Lever for Energy Planning
This initiative aligns with a broader strategy to enhance energy planning tools. Masen also plans to deploy a national geographic information system dedicated to renewable energies by 2026, covering the entire territory. This platform will centralize geospatial data related to solar and wind projects to support decision-making and optimize site selection.
All these actions are in line with the national strategy to increase the share of renewable energies to 52% of the electricity mix by 2030. Photovoltaics are one of the pillars of this ambition, alongside wind and hydropower.
Photovoltaics as a Driver of Energy Transition
According to the International Energy Agency, electricity production from photovoltaic sources is expected to grow by about 31% between 2026 and 2030, making this sector the most dynamic within Morocco’s electrical system. By proactively preparing for the development of new plants with precise and robust data, Masen aims to secure investments, improve project performance, and strengthen Morocco’s position as a reference player in the field of renewable energies.
Through this solar measurement campaign, the Agency is thus laying the technical and economic foundations for the next steps of the national solar plan, reaffirming the central role of photovoltaics in the Kingdom’s energy transition.
Source: Le Matin.ma