Windenergy News: 2nd Annual Wind Maghreb Congresses in Rabat, Morocco

With last month’s statement from Mustapha Bakkoury, Chairman of the Moroccan solar energy agency (MASEN), that Morocco has set a target of 2,000MW of solar energy production by 2020, and the announcement of the winners of Morocco’s 850 MW wind tender due this summer, Morocco is truly driving forward their renewables industry.

On May 21st, top representatives from across North African and Europe will join together at the 4th Annual Solar Maghreb and 2nd Annual Wind Maghreb Congresses in Rabat, Morocco, to discuss the solar and wind power developments in the region, and debate how the future of renewable energy in the Maghreb.

Early registration rates are available but end soon, click here to secure your place now: http://greenpower.msgfocus.com/c/13wnKlIRJEkUUNA3jYGnC6SBX

Des tarifs locaux sont disponibles pour les sociétés ayant leurs sièges en Afrique du Nord. Pour vous renseigner sur les tarifs disponibles ou faire une réservation veuillez contacter:
Mr. Mourad Ouhammou
North African Delegate Registrations Manager
T: +44 (0) 203 384 8870
E: mourad.ouhammou@greenpowerconferences.com


We caught up with 3 of our plenary day speakers to get the discussion started a little early

Frank Wouters, Deputy Director General, Irena
Tom Riley, Senior Adviser on International Development at BrightSource Energy and former US Ambassador to Morocco (2004-2009)
Allan Baker, Managing Director of Global Head of Power at Societe Generale

Plea se see below for a quick preview or click here to read the interviews in full: http://greenpower.msgfocus.com/c/13wnKIcZjTJpUCc4oQCXpi1I6

How do you see renewable power developing in MENA over the next 5 years? Do you see the government targets for clean energy production being achieved?

Frank Wouters, IRENA: With an ever increasing number of governments that are developing RE policies and targets, the MENA region will see many interesting developments in the years to come. With further reductions in cost, more and more projects will make plain economic sense, driving the developments. Lastly, recent investments have shown that there is sufficient capital at reasonable cost available.

Allan Baker, Societe Generale: This is a complex question as one has to look at how realistic the targets are and the fundamental drivers behind the targets. On the face of it the targets for the region, at least in the case of some countries, look challenging but even if not all the capacity materialises over the envisaged timeframe we still anticipate a very substantial investment in the region which will translate into a significant step towards a lower carbon foot print for the generation sector in a number of countries.

Tom Riley, Brightsource Energy: Success of early projects will be very important. This gives technology providers, governments and lenders confidence to stick with their programs. Programs in India got off to a bad start due to weak government support, overstated DNI and unsustainable prices. I am impressed that MENA seems to be aware of this and is designing a program that can start successfully then continue building on that success. The next 3-4 years will be critical.

CLICK HERE to read the interviews in full.
http://greenpower.msgfocus.com/c/13wnL4H6U97UUqO5tIzxctaOf

Plus, don’t miss our FREE webinar: Delivering renewable energy across the Maghreb
http://greenpower.msgfocus.com/c/13wnLrbeuowpUfq6yAw6ZEjUo on Tuesday 23rd April at 3-4pm (Rabat time): REGISTER HERE: http://greenpower.msgfocus.com/c/13wnLNFm4DUUU427DssGMPt0x

I look forward to welcoming you to Rabat this May.