Morocco begins increasing energy output

OUJDA, Morocco, April 1 (UPI) -- Morocco aims to boost its energy production to 5,000 megawatts over the next five years, Energy and Mines Minister Amina Benkhadra said.

The statement came after the launch of a new $631 million combined-cycle thermo-solar power plant project near the eastern city of Oujda, according to the Middle East and North Africa Business Report.

The plant is expected to be operational by mid-2009 and is estimated to be able to generate about 472 megawatts, including 20 megawatts from solar energy. It will most likely be enough to supply up to 8.5 percent of national energy production.

The plant will be built by Spanish group Abengoa and will receive most of its funding from the African Development Bank, the Global Environment Facility and the national electricity utility.

Earlier this month Morocco also started construction of a thermal power plant due to provide the country with 27 percent of its electricity needs. The $2.7 billion plant, which will adopt environmentally friendly techniques, will have a capacity of 1,320 megawatts.