ACWA close to bag Moroccan solar plant deal

RABAT – A consortium led by Saudi International Company for Water and Power (ACWA) is close to win a contract worth at least $500 million to build a 160-megawatt concentrated solar power plant south of Morocco, an official source said Wednesday.

"We are going to opt for the offer made by the consortium of ACWA," the source, familiar with the discussions about the contract, told Reuters. The source asked not to be named pending an official announcement due later this week.

ACWA has teamed up with Spanish engineering firm Aries IS and TSK EE for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the plant near the southern city of Ouarzazate. The plan will include five power stations, two of which are located in the disputed Western Sahara, and the other in Morocco. "We are going to opt for the offer made by the consortium of ACWA," the source, familiar with the discussions about the contract, told Reuters. The source asked not to be named pending an official announcement due later this week.

ACWA has teamed up with Spanish engineering firm Aries IS and TSK EE for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the plant near the southern city of Ouarzazate.

"Morocco’s solar energy agency Masen will make the announcement over the weekend, either Friday or Thursday. The signing ceremony will be on Saturday," said the source. – SG/Agencies