Morocco to build world's largest concentrated solar power plant

By Milena Veselinovic, for CNN

Updated 1728 GMT (0128 HKT) December 4, 2015

Morocco's new solar power plant will cover a 30 square kilometer area outside the city of Ouarzazate.<br />
Photos:
Morocco's new solar power plant will cover a 30 square kilometer area outside the city of Ouarzazate.
Hide Caption
1 of 5
The country is heavily investing in renewable energy in order to cut down its dependency on fossil fuel imports which currently account for 97% of the country's power.
Photos:
The country is heavily investing in renewable energy in order to cut down its dependency on fossil fuel imports which currently account for 97% of the country's power.
Hide Caption
2 of 5
Morocco's environment minister Hakima El Haite walks in front of a solar array that is part of the Noor 1 solar power plant, which is due to start operating in a few weeks.
Photos:
Morocco's environment minister Hakima El Haite walks in front of a solar array that is part of the Noor 1 solar power plant, which is due to start operating in a few weeks.
Hide Caption
3 of 5
The plant uses concentrated solar power technology which is more expensive to install than photovoltaic panels, but able to store energy for nights and cloudy days.
Photos:
The plant uses concentrated solar power technology which is more expensive to install than photovoltaic panels, but able to store energy for nights and cloudy days.
Hide Caption
4 of 5
The project's construction was officially launched by Morocco's King Mohammed VI in 2013.
Photos:
The project's construction was officially launched by Morocco's King Mohammed VI in 2013.
Hide Caption
5 of 5
Morocco solar field Scenes from the fieldNoor 3Noor solar plantNoor 2solar energy africa Ouarzazate

Story highlights

  • Morocco is building the world's biggest concentrated so