Morocco Launches Tender for 362 MW Pumped-Storage Plant Near Sefrou

Marrakech – Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) announced on Tuesday the launch of an international tender for the construction of the El Menzel pumped-storage hydropower station, a 362 MW facility located approximately 35 kilometers southeast of Sefrou in the Fez-Meknes region.

The contract will be awarded on a turnkey (EPC) basis. It covers execution studies, equipment supply, construction, installation, and commissioning. The bid deadline is set for September 30 with a projected completion period of 48 months. The Islamic Development Bank (IsSB) is financing the project.

The tender marks the second phase of a process ONEE initiated in May 2023. Six consortiums originally submitted candidacies.

Three were prequalified: a grouping of China International Water & Electric Corporation, Yellow River Engineering Consulting, Harbin Electric Machinery, Harbin Electric International, and Jet Contractors; the Sinohydro-Andritz Hydro consortium; and a partnership between Webuild and Dongfang Electric International Corporation.

Pumped-storage transfer stations operate by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. During periods of low electricity demand, water is pumped to the upper basin to store energy.

When consumption peaks, the stored water is released to generate electricity rapidly. The mechanism allows grid operators to balance supply and demand while reinforcing the stability and security of power delivery.

The El Menzel station fits into ONEE’s broader strategy to expand Morocco’s hydraulic storage capacity as the country accelerates the deployment of renewable energy sources. The office currently operates two such facilities: the Afourer station at 464 MW and the Abdelmoumen station at 350 MW. A third, the 300 MW Ifahsa station, is under development.

Once completed, El Menzel will bring Morocco’s total pumped-storage portfolio to four stations. ONEE described the infrastructure as indispensable for absorbing the growing share of renewables feeding into the national grid and for improving the overall flexibility of the electrical system.

The launch of the tender represents a concrete step in advancing the project from planning to execution, ONEE noted.