Trina Solar Eyes Morocco as Key Market in African Solar Expansion
Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN) at the Africa Energy Forum, held from June 17-20 in Cape Town, South Africa, Zaheer Khan, Trina Solar's Regional Director for Southern Africa, pointed out Morocco's strategic importance to the company's continental growth plans. Zaheer Khan, Trina Solar's Regional Director for Southern Africa
'Morocco's got quite aggressive targets for renewable energy by 2030 and numerous subsidies as well that are available in the market, which make it a very viable target segment for us,' Khan said.
Trina Solar, one of the world's top three solar module manufacturers with global sales of 60-70 gigawatts last year, has established a strong African presence. The company supplied over one gigawatt of solar equipment across the continent in the past year and claims the number one market share in South Africa.
Strategic partnerships and projects
The company has positioned staff across key African markets, including Morocco, where Khan's colleague, based in the country, has identified promising opportunities, including a target of clean energy of 50% of electricity production by 2030.
These also include Morocco's phosphate giant OCP's program of a 2GW solar project to reduce its carbon footprint, of which 200MW is already installed, as well as the country's huge solar projects, including Noor Midelt 1, 2, and 3 in addition to Noor Ouarzazate.
Khan spoke of several projects being promoted by MASEN, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, as particularly noteworthy prospects for Trina Solar's involvement.
Beyond large-scale installations, Trina Solar sees potential in Morocco's solar pumping sector. Khan noted that 'the Moroccan government is also trying to promote moving some of the grid-connected solar pumping to off-grid, ideally solar pumping solutions.'
This shift aligns with Trina Solar's diversified product portfolio, which extends beyond solar panels to include battery energy storage systems and tracker technologies. The company recently demonstrated its storage capabilities with a successful 350-megawatt-hour battery energy storage project in Egypt.
Continental vision
Khan also expressed optimism about expanding battery solutions throughout Africa, building on recent North African successes. 'Soon we hope to expand our battery solutions throughout the African continent and continue our success in this region,' he said.
With offices in Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco supporting operations across East, West, and North Africa, respectively, Trina Solar appears well-positioned to capitalize on the continent's growing renewable energy demand.
The company's focus on Morocco reflects broader recognition of the country's leadership in renewable energy development, supported by government incentives that Khan described as making the market particularly attractive for international solar manufacturers.
Morocco is setting a goal to achieve 52% energy production through clean, renewable sources by 2030, an ambition designed to boost the North African country's sustainable development goals.
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