Morocco’s National Office for Electricity & Water (ONEE) has invited contractors to prequalify for a photovoltaic (PV) solar project in the kingdom.

The $150m scheme consists of three solar plants in Erfoud, Zagora and Missour in southeastern Morocco, with a capacity of 75MW.

The total capacity may be increased to 100MW.

It will be tendered on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis, with the work covering execution as well as operation and maintenance (O&M).

The deadline is 4 September.

The Washington-based World Bank has arranged a $124m loan to fund the projects. The International Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD) will provide $94.5m, and the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) will provide $24m to finance the installation of the solar plants. ONEE will finance the O&M costs.

The plants are scheduled to come online at the end of 2016.

ONEE’s three-phase strategy aims to develop 400MW of grid-connected decentralised PV solar power at 16 sites near high-voltage transmission lines.

ONEE has approached the European Investment Bank (EIB), German development bank KfW and the European Commission to secure financing for the €300m second phase. It involves developing 200MW across eight sites, to be completed by the end of 2017.

The $250m third phase will involve three of four sites with a total capacity of 100-125MW. Although it is also planned for completion in late 2017, financing has yet to be put in place.