Empower New Energy has completed its first transaction in Morocco. The Norwegian investment company has signed for the financing of 2.5 MWp of solar energy to power the poultry plants of the Moroccan group Zalar Holding.
Just days after securing a guarantee from the African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (AGF), Empower New Energy announces a new deal in North Africa. The Norwegian investment company specialising in renewable energy for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers has signed a partnership with Zalar Holding to commission rooftop solar systems to power its poultry facilities in Morocco.
Empower will invest $2 million for the development of 2.5 MWp. The solar photovoltaic plants will be built (EPC) by JET Energy. The Skhirate (Morocco) based company will install four plants on the roofs of Zalar’s factories in Eldin Had Soualem, Agro Industrielle Al Atlas Tit Mellil, Banchereau Maroc Mediouna and Al Alf Fes.
Reducing Zalar’s carbon footprint
“We are honoured to team up with the pioneering company Zalar and JET Energy to demonstrate how investments in solar energy for industry can play a key role in Morocco’s green energy transition,” says Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy. The agreement signed with Zalar is supported by a 16-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
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This means that 3,800 MWh of clean electricity will be supplied to Zalar’s facilities per year. Solar energy will enable the group headed by Siham Benhamane to avoid the emission of 3,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. With more than 2,200 employees, the Zalar group is firmly established in Morocco and is one of the leaders in the poultry sector, with activities across the entire value chain, including trading, animal nutrition, hatching, breeding, and slaughtering and processing.
Jean Marie Takouleu
