Noor 3 Ouarzazate solar power plant breakdown: energy fiasco?

According to sources from Alyaoum24 Noor 3 had been struggling with breakdowns and disruptions for some time, which were not made public. The plant is said to have been shut down for months. The official statement from Acwa Power, the Saudi operator of the plant, points to a leak in the molten salt tank as the cause of the current power outage. The repairs will last until November 2024 and the damage is expected to amount to 47 million dollars.

Also read: Breakdown at Noor Ouarzazate solar power plant, $47 million loss

Noor 3 is an experimental project that uses relatively new technology. In contrast to the Noor 1 and 2 power stations, which are based on proven technology, molten salt technology is more complex and more susceptible to failures. The high temperatures in the salt tank appear to be the cause of the repeated leaks.

The financing of Noor 3 also raises questions. 80% of the costs (approximately $860 million) were financed by international institutions with a guarantee from the Moroccan state through the Mazen agency. The repayment of these loans may be jeopardized by the long interruption of power production.

Also read: Noor Ouarzazate solar power plant will soon be operating at full capacity

Neither the Ministry of Energy Transition nor the Mazen agency have yet responded to the questions surrounding the breakdown. The future of Noor 3 is uncertain. The power plant plays an important role in the Moroccan ambition to obtain 52% of its energy consumption from renewable energy by 2030. The power outage and high costs cast a shadow over the feasibility of this project.