Morocco invites bids for phase one of solar scheme

RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco is inviting investors who have expressed interest in phase one of its $9 billion solar power project to submit pre-qualification bids by October 4 at the latest, its solar energy agency said on Thursday.

The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) said it will accept bids by individual firms or companies teaming up in consortiums.

Pre-qualification bids being invited are for the construction of one or more thermo-solar units with a capacity of at least 125 megawatts (MW) at the planned complex, near the southern town of Ouarzazate.

More bids will be launched for the Ourzazate solar complex before the end of 2012 and will involve building at least one photovoltaic solar power station, MASEN said.

When it is completed the Ouarzazata complex will have a capacity of 500 MW -- or enough to power about 90,000 homes.

The government says the complex is part of the country's solar plan to build five power stations and will account for 38 percent of Morocco's installed power generation by 2020.