OCP inaugurates Morocco’s largest photovoltaic plant at Oulad Farès in Khouribga
OCP Green Energy recently commissioned the Oulad Farès photovoltaic plant in Khouribga, featuring 105 megawatt-peak capacity that makes it Morocco’s largest solar farm of this type currently operational. The facility powers the world’s largest phosphate mine while injecting green electricity into the national grid.
The installation spans 168 hectares with thousands of solar panels converting sunlight directly into electricity. Unlike the Noor I concentrated solar power plant in Ouarzazate, which uses thermal technology with molten salt storage enabling post-sunset production, Oulad Farès employs photovoltaic panels requiring lithium-iron-phosphate batteries for energy storage.
This solar farm represents one of three sites, alongside Benguerir and Foum Tizi facilities, with combined 202 megawatt-peak capacity announced December 1 in Khouribga by OCP Group. The three plants deploy approximately 370,000 panels and hundreds of thousands of kilometers of electrical cables.
Beyond supplying green energy to Khouribga’s phosphate mine for green fertilizer production, the plant injects electricity into the national grid. Panels collect electricity through cable networks channelling power to high-voltage substations, enabling delivery either directly to mining operations with minimal losses or through the national grid to other consumption sites, explained Omar Kadir, OCP Green Energy director general.
Production cost advantages prove significant. Hanane Mourchid, OCP Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer, revealed kilowatt-hour production costs around 0.35 dirhams, below record market levels. “This explains why we view sustainable development beyond just sustainability strategy as also a business strategy, allowing us to reduce energy costs and operational expenses while greening our operations,” she stated.
Construction fits within OCP’s 2023-2027 green investment program totaling 13 billion dollars, targeting increased green fertilizer production through renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. The group targets 1.2 gigawatts green energy capacity by 2027 and exceeding 2 gigawatts by 2032.