Casablanca Forum on large-scale solar power in the Middle East and North Africa

The vision of large-scale photovoltaic and concentrated solar power plants in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is attracting much attention among decision-makers across the MENA region and Europe, as well as among international development organisations, financing institutions, corporations and private sector companies. However, the long-term possibility of solar energy export from MENA countries to Europe requires both extensive financial commitments and complex institutional and infrastructural developments. The challenge remains in finding realistic and suitable concepts for the implementation of these power plants in the MENA countries.

Consequently, the Casablanca Forum, which took place in Casablanca, Morocco on 15 and 16 June 2010, provided a platform for fruitful and constructive discussions on short-term to medium-term goals for large-scale solar power implementation in the MENA region. The conference aimed to identify the central factors and frameworks that are necessary to provide realistic planning and implementation of large-scale solar power. adelphi developed the concept and programme of the conference. adelphi was also responsible for the selection, acquisition and briefing of speakers, invitations and registration, and looked after the overall organisation of the conference.