Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Marrakech – The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has launched an international tender for the construction of a hybrid solar-diesel power plant with battery storage in El Guerguarat.
The project, announced on Friday, comes with an estimated cost of MAD 61.8 million ($6.18 million) and an implementation timeline of 18 months.
This new power facility will be built on a 10-hectare site and represents a substantial step in the border post’s transition toward renewable energy. It follows another sustainable development initiative in the region – a water desalination unit that has been operational since November 8, 2023.
The hybrid power plant will integrate a complete energy solution combining renewable production, storage, and backup generators. The solar photovoltaic park will have a capacity of 1.5 MWc coupled with a 1.5 MWh battery storage system to stabilize electricity production.
A diesel component will ensure continuous power supply during insufficient solar production or peak demand periods. This includes two 1000 kVA generator sets and two 500 kVA units. A 22 kV distribution substation will connect the entire system to the grid and manage the balance between different energy sources.
The plant will feature an Energy Management System (EMS) that will intelligently control the entire operation to ensure optimal electricity supply to El Guerguarat.
The EMS will optimize battery charging/discharging and activate the diesel plant when needed, particularly when weather conditions limit solar energy production.
Requirements for bidding companies
Interested companies must submit bids by September 25, with an opening session scheduled for 9 a.m. local time at ONEE headquarters in Casablanca. A site visit is planned for August 25 at 10 a.m. at the Birguandouz Diesel Plant, which is optional but recommended for bidders.
Participants must provide a provisional guarantee of MAD 1 million ($100,000) with bids valid for 120 days from the opening date. The tender includes strict eligibility requirements for various aspects of the project, including electrical works, solar PV installation, battery storage, and civil engineering.
For the electrical works (HTA/BT), bidders must have ONEE’s HTA/BT3 accreditation or prove completion of a similar project worth more than MAD 5 million ($500,000) in the last five years.
Solar PV qualification requires J3 certification (class 1 or higher) or demonstration of a similar photovoltaic project of at least 1.5 MWc valued at over MAD 10 million ($1 million) within the past five years.
The battery storage system component requires experience implementing at least one project with BESS capacity of 1 MWh or greater, totaling over MAD 5 million ($500,000) in the last five years.
Civil engineering work demands qualification A2 (class 3 or higher) or completion of similar works worth more than MAD 8 million ($800,000) during the same period.
Notably, PV installation and BESS works cannot be subcontracted and must be performed directly by the bidder. HTA/BT and civil works may be subcontracted if the subcontractor meets the same qualification requirements.
Financially, bidders must demonstrate an average annual turnover of at least MAD 30 million ($3 million) over the past three years. A 15% preference margin applies to Moroccan firms, cooperatives, unions of cooperatives, and auto-entrepreneurs.
This project aligns with ONEE’s broader 2025-2030 equipment plan, which involves investments of MAD 220 billion ($22 billion).
These investments aim to accelerate energy transition by massively integrating renewable energies, developing storage capacities, and strengthening the transport network. These efforts are expected to achieve a 56% installed capacity rate in renewable energies by the end of 2027.
