Morocco has strengthened its renewable energy leadership with the commissioning of the Oued Rmel floating solar project, now the largest operational floating photovoltaic (FPV) installation in Africa. The 13 MWp project combines clean electricity generation with freshwater conservation, demonstrating how floating solar can maximize existing water infrastructure without consuming valuable land. As African countries accelerate their clean energy transition, the project provides a scalable model for delivering renewable power while improving water sustainability.
13 MWp Floating Solar Plant Powers Tanger Med
The Oued Rmel floating solar plant has an installed capacity of 13 MWp and supplies around 14 percent of the industrial electricity demand of the Tanger Med port complex, reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.
The installation comprises three floating islands covering approximately 72,870 square meters, or nearly 10 hectares, of a 123-hectare mountain reservoir.
The project features approximately 22,000 photovoltaic panels mounted on 400 engineered floating platforms designed to withstand changing reservoir conditions.
The reservoir ranges in depth from 35 meters to 79 meters, while seasonal water levels fluctuate by as much as 44 meters. Specialized anchoring and flotation systems enable the solar arrays to remain stable despite these significant water level variations.
The electricity generated is sufficient to meet the annual power needs of approximately 17,000 residents in France, highlighting the significant contribution floating solar can make to regional energy supplies.
Floating Solar Cuts Water Loss by 30 percent
Beyond renewable electricity generation, the project delivers substantial environmental benefits by conserving freshwater.
The floating solar panels shade the reservoir surface, reducing evaporation by approximately 30 percent.
This is particularly significant because the reservoir currently loses between 3,000 cubic meters and 7,000 cubic meters of water every day due to evaporation.
By combining renewable energy production with water conservation, floating photovoltaic systems offer an effective solution for regions facing increasing water scarcity and climate-related challenges.
Morocco More Than Doubles Africa’s Floating Solar Capacity
Before Oued Rmel entered operation, Africa had only 6.22 MWp of operational floating solar capacity, according to the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA).
With the addition of the 13 MWp Moroccan project, the continent’s operational floating solar capacity has more than doubled.
The previous largest floating solar installation in Africa was the 5 MW project at Ghana’s Bui Dam.
Morocco had earlier demonstrated the technology through a 360-kW pilot project in Sidi Slimane, which required approximately two years before larger commercial deployment became viable.
Additional pilot floating solar projects are already operating in South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia, and Burundi, reflecting growing regional interest in the technology.
Africa’s Floating Solar Pipeline Reaches 2.3 GWp
While current operational capacity remains relatively modest, the development pipeline is expanding rapidly.
AFSIA is tracking approximately 2.3 GWp, or 2,300 MW, of floating solar projects across Africa that are currently under planning and development.
The growing project pipeline reflects increasing investor confidence as governments seek low-carbon electricity solutions that also improve water resource management.
Research Identifies 100 GW Opportunity
Research suggests floating solar could become one of Africa’s largest renewable energy resources.
Studies involving the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action estimate that Africa has approximately 100,000 square kilometers of suitable artificial reservoirs capable of supporting floating solar installations.
According to the research, utilizing just 1 percent of these reservoir surfaces could deliver around 100 GW, or 100,000 MW, of renewable electricity generation capacity across the continent.
The analysis also concludes that the theoretical floating solar potential on reservoirs in Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Ethiopia exceeds each country’s current national electricity demand, demonstrating the transformative potential of the technology.
Supporting Morocco’s 2030 Renewable Energy Target
The Oued Rmel project supports Morocco’s broader clean energy strategy.
The country aims to source 52 percent of its installed electricity generation capacity from renewable energy by 2030.
Morocco’s electricity demand reached 42.38 TWh in 2023.
Research indicates that covering approximately 40 percent of the country’s monitored dam surfaces with floating photovoltaic systems could theoretically generate enough electricity to match that entire annual demand.
Although achieving such large-scale deployment would require continued investment, technological advances, and supportive policies, the figures highlight the enormous opportunity floating solar presents for Morocco’s long-term energy transition.
Floating Solar Gains Momentum Across Africa
The 13 MWp Oued Rmel project establishes a new benchmark for floating solar development in Africa by demonstrating how renewable energy can simultaneously improve electricity generation, conserve freshwater, and optimize land use.
With three floating islands, 22,000 solar panels, 400 floating platforms, approximately 30 percent lower evaporation, and a continental development pipeline of 2.3 GWp, Morocco’s latest renewable energy investment highlights the growing role of floating photovoltaic technology in Africa’s clean energy future.
Supported by research indicating a long-term potential of 100 GW across the continent, floating solar is emerging as a strategic solution for strengthening energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving water resources, and accelerating Africa’s transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy.
SHAFANA FAZAL
