Morocco’s industrial giant, OCP Group, has taken a significant step toward sustainability by bringing three large solar power plants online, adding a combined 202 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to its operations. This marks the first phase of the company’s renewable energy program and represents a major move toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
The largest of the new plants is the Ouled Fares facility in Khouribga, which has a capacity of 105 MW, making it the biggest photovoltaic plant currently operating in Morocco. The other two installations include a 67 MW site in Benguerir and a 30 MW facility in Foum Tizi. Together, these solar projects have involved an investment of around 1.8 billion Moroccan dirhams, approximately $180 million. They are strategically located in industrial and mining regions, supporting the group’s essential operations in fertilizer production.
The initiative is part of OCP’s $13 billion Green Investment Plan, which aims to power all its industrial and mining activities with 100% renewable energy by 2027. The new solar farms are already covering the full daytime electricity requirements of the Khouribga and Gantour sites. By transitioning to solar power, the company is reducing its carbon footprint while also lowering production costs, helping its fertilizers remain competitive in a global market that is increasingly prioritizing environmentally friendly products.
In addition to generating solar power, OCP is investing in energy storage to ensure reliability. At the Benguerir site, a 25 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has been launched to store excess energy during the day and supply power during peak evening hours. This system helps maintain a steady and uninterrupted electricity supply even when sunlight is not available.
The project’s success has been supported by international partnerships, including a green loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and backing from Germany’s KfW development bank. OCP plans to continue expanding its renewable energy capacity, targeting 1.2 gigawatts (GW) by 2027 and eventually exceeding 2 GW. These efforts demonstrate that heavy industry can successfully transition to sustainable energy while supporting national energy goals and positioning OCP as a global leader in the low-carbon industrial sector.
The combined solar plants, energy storage initiatives, and international collaboration underline OCP Group’s commitment to a sustainable future, showing how large-scale industrial operations can achieve both environmental and economic benefits.
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