UN Commends “Noor Ouarzazate” Complex
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), part of the United Nations, has praised Morocco’s “Noor Ouarzazate” solar power complex as a leading model on the continent, emphasizing that this monumental project demonstrates that the energy situation in Africa is “not so bleak” despite existing challenges.
In an article published on its website, the commission stated that the Noor Ouarzazate complex stands as a benchmark for electricity access and is often classified among the “largest solar power facilities in the world.”
This recognition comes within a report from the commission that highlights the ongoing reality of hundreds of millions of Africans living without electricity, relying instead on traditional sources such as oil, candles, and firewood for heating. The commission noted that the widely cited figure of 600 million Africans lacking electricity is concerning, and that the true cost of this shortfall is manifested in slowed economic growth, missed opportunities, and approximately 700,000 annual deaths due to energy poverty-related illnesses that could be prevented.
The commission stressed that the absence of electricity hampers hopes of job creation, value-added production, and the ability to achieve competitive exports. It questioned whether stronger policies, fairer financing, and new technologies could reverse this trend.
According to the Economic Commission for Africa, “Reducing the energy deficit in Africa will determine the pace of industrialization,” the resilience of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the credibility of the continent’s Agenda 2063.
In conclusion, the commission affirmed that success in addressing this issue will dictate whether millions will continue to die “needlessly due to energy poverty,” or if Africa will seize the opportunity to secure a “fairer and more sustainable energy future,” using projects like the Noor Ouarzazate complex as practical evidence of the potential for positive change.
