Say hello to the world’s largest solar plant switched on in the Sahara Desert:

The Noor-Ouarzazate complex!

Near the city of Ouarzazate, there is hope that it will be able to...

  • Produce enough energy to power over one million homes by 2018.
  • Reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 760,000 tons per year.
  • Foster a reduction of over 17.5 million tons of carbon emissions over 25 years.
  • Pave the way for economic growth in Morocco.

Being the first part of Morocco's solar power plan, this superpower plant is definitely a superhero as it switches on. And this is just the start.

Coming up next: the country wants to install 2000 MW of solar power by 2020. This technology draws on the country’s own natural resources and helps wean Morocco off of fossil fuels.

The new solar plant will be using concentrated solar power, a more expensive but efficient form of solar energy than the traditional common photovoltaic panels.

But, here’s something BIGGER than big, the power plant can be seen from space.

There is no doubt that the solar plant will influence the surrounding area, but, even more broadly, what does this mean for Africa?

A lack of renewable power has been a problem in various parts of the countinent. Only 24% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population, for instance, has access to electricity and there are an average of 56 days of power-outages per year.

Such unreliability impacts nearly all facets of society.

Businesses, healthcare establishments, and schools have all suffered from spotty WiFI, failing medical equipment and unusable classroom resources. It’s clear that there is a significant link between energy and success. Places and people need energy and electricity to increase productivity and to live healthier lives.  

There is a 23% poverty rate in Ouarzazate. Switching on the Noor-Ouarzazate complex will hopefully cut into this rate as people gain the energy to flourish.

When Morocco’s environment minister, Hakima el-Haite commented on the beginnings of the solar power project back in 2015, he exclaimed, “When we heard about the potential of solar energy, we thought; why not?”

As solar power becomes more popular, it's also becoming more innovative and cost-effective.

Global Goal 7 is all about making affordable and clean energy universal and places all around the world have already hopped on board with solar energy. Many countries are ditching the fossil fuels and saying “why not?” to renewable energy:

France recently installed its solar panel roads this year.

In 2015, Sweden became one the world’s first nations to set a goal of becoming 100% fossil-fuel-free.

In 2015, Costa Rica derived a whopping 99% of its electricity from renewable energy sources.

Nicaragua is looking to be 90% renewable by 2020.

Countries like Japan, the US, Germany, China and Kenya have also hopped on the bandwagon to use solar energy and renewable sources.

Solar energy is becoming more affordable through tax credits, incentives, grants and, most importantly, technological breakthroughs. Not only are individuals able to purchase solar energy at subsidized prices, but they are able to create a cleaner environment--double whammy.

What an exciting time to be a global citizen!

Clean energy has the potential to lift millions out of poverty because it affects climate change, economic development, health and so much more.

This superpower plant is one huge step towards finding a sustainable and clean tomorrow, but never forget that every little step along the way helps achieve Global Goal 7!

TopicsFossil FuelsSolar EnergyCarbon emissionEnviornementGlobal Goal 7

Editorial

Defend the Planet

Visible from space, the world’s largest solar plant switches on in the Sahara

By Gina Darnaud