Sunny Morocco is planning to produce 40% of their energy needs via solar energy, spending $9 billion to generate 2000MWs of energy by 2020. The plan will require 5 solar power stations to produce 2000MWs of energy, situated in the regions of Ouarzazate, Ain Bni Mathar, Foum Al Oued, Boujdour and Sebkhat Tah with the first station to become operational by 2015.

Salaheddine Mezouar, Morocco’s Finance Minister, said, “The project sends a very clear message in the current situation, which is dominated by the need to face up to the challenges of climate change.”

“Morocco is determined to protect the environment in all its future projects,” he said.

Morocco is hoping to cut its dependence on foreign oil and gas imports.