Casablanca – A growing body of scientific research and feasibility studies is pointing to floating solar power as a potentially transformative technology for Morocco, offering a dual solution to two of the country’s most pressing structural challenges: rising electricity demand and increasing water scarcity.

Multiple studies published in international journals such as npj Clean Energy and Renewable Energy, alongside analyses conducted by Moroccan research institutions including Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, have assessed the potential of installing floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems across 58 dams in the Kingdom.

Together, these studies highlight a significant untapped opportunity embedded in Morocco’s existing hydraulic infrastructure, with implications for energy production, water conservation, and long-term climate resilience.

Large-scale technical potential across 58 reservoirs

According to the findings, Morocco’s 58 monitored dams cover a combined surface area of approximately 433 square kilometers. These reservoirs experience substantial water losses through evaporation, estimated at around 909 million cubic meters annually.

The studies show that evaporation is particularly intense during summer months, especially in July and August, when high temperatures and strong solar radiation accelerate water loss. Some of the largest contributions come from major dams such as Al Wahda Dam, Al Massira Dam, Oued El Makhazine Dam, Idriss I Dam, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam, and Bin El Ouidane Dam.

Researchers from institutions including the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi, and Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah have independently reached similar conclusions: reservoir-based solar installations could significantly alter both the energy and water balance equation in Morocco.

Energy generation potential and theoretical scenarios

One of the most widely cited findings is the scale of the theoretical electricity generation potential. Depending on assumptions about coverage and efficiency, studies suggest that floating solar installations across the 58 dams could reach up to 36 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of installed capacity.

In broader modeling scenarios, researchers estimate that covering around 40% of reservoir surfaces with floating solar panels could theoretically generate electricity equivalent to Morocco’s entire annual consumption, estimated at approximately 42.38 terawatt-hours in 2023.

At a smaller scale, even partial deployment appears significant. Covering just 1% of reservoir surfaces—roughly 4.3 km²—could already contribute meaningfully to national electricity supply while maintaining the primary water storage functions of dams.

Researchers emphasize that these figures are not immediate deployment targets, but rather indicators of the scale of solar potential embedded in existing water infrastructure.

Water savings and environmental effects

Beyond electricity generation, a central argument across the studies is the water-saving potential of floating solar systems.

By covering portions of reservoir surfaces, photovoltaic panels reduce direct exposure to sunlight and wind, which in turn limits evaporation. Estimates vary depending on environmental conditions, but international research cited in Moroccan studies suggests evaporation reductions ranging from 25% to 60% over covered areas.

Some analyses also estimate that floating solar deployment could reduce evaporation by approximately 30% in shaded sections of reservoirs.

Given Morocco’s chronic water stress and recurring drought conditions, this potential reduction is considered particularly relevant. National water reserves have declined sharply in recent years, falling from 8.9 billion cubic meters in 2018 to around 4.4 billion cubic meters in 2024, according to data cited in sector reports.

Geographic distribution and high-potential sites

Studies highlight that certain regions offer particularly strong conditions for floating solar deployment. These include Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi, and the Oriental region, where high solar irradiation coincides with suitable reservoir surfaces.

Among individual sites, Al Massira Dam (El Jadida province) is frequently identified as one of the most promising locations, with an estimated potential capacity of around 1.2 GWp. Bin El Ouidane Dam (Béni Mellal-Khénifra region) is also highlighted, with an estimated potential of approximately 0.8 GWp.

Other major reservoirs, including Al Wahda Dam, Oued El Makhazine Dam, Idriss I Dam, and Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam, are consistently identified as significant contributors to both evaporation losses and solar deployment potential.

Technology characteristics and efficiency gains

Floating photovoltaic systems are installed on buoyant platforms anchored on water surfaces. Unlike conventional ground-mounted solar plants, they do not require land acquisition, making them particularly relevant in areas where agricultural or urban land is limited.

Researchers note that water-based cooling can improve panel efficiency by around 2% compared to land-based installations, as lower operating temperatures enhance photovoltaic performance.

Optimal design parameters remain under study, but some findings suggest that panel tilt angles around 31 degrees maximize energy yield, while lower angles near 11 degrees may offer advantages in terms of stability, cost reduction, and evaporation suppression.

Early pilot projects in Morocco

Morocco has already begun testing floating solar technology at pilot scale. One of the most advanced projects is located at the Oued Rmel reservoir near Tangier, developed in connection with Tanger Med Group and national energy stakeholders. The project has an installed capacity of around 13 MW and is expected to supply a portion of the port complex’s electricity demand.

Another smaller installation of approximately 360 kW has been implemented in Sidi Slimane, providing additional operational data on system performance.

These pilot projects are considered important testing grounds for understanding technical durability, environmental impacts, and integration with existing water infrastructure.

Economic considerations and investment outlook

Current estimates place the installation cost of floating solar projects at approximately $82,500 to $123,700 per megawatt-peak (MWp). Industry observers expect these costs to become increasingly competitive in the coming years as the technology matures, manufacturing capacity expands, supply chains develop, and larger-scale deployments generate economies of scale.

Institutional interest and policy direction

The findings have attracted attention from Moroccan authorities, including the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and the Office National de l’Électricité et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE), both of which have expressed interest in further feasibility studies and pilot expansion.

However, experts consistently emphasize that Morocco currently lacks a dedicated regulatory framework for floating solar projects on public water bodies, including guidelines for environmental protection, water management coordination, and project licensing.

Outlook

Morocco’s national energy strategy targets a 52% share of renewable energy in installed electricity capacity by 2030. Floating solar technology is increasingly being viewed as a complementary component to existing solar and wind projects, particularly due to its dual benefits for energy generation and water conservation.

While significant technical, environmental, and regulatory challenges remain, the convergence of strong solar resources, extensive dam infrastructure, and urgent water security concerns places Morocco among the countries with the highest potential for floating solar development globally.

Researchers conclude that with careful planning and pilot scaling, Morocco’s reservoirs could gradually evolve into multi-functional infrastructure systems contributing simultaneously to electricity production, water preservation, and climate resilience.