HIBAPRESS announced on Monday, September 14, that OCP Group's subsidiary specializing in the production and storage of electricity from renewable sources, "OCP Green Energy," has achieved a significant milestone with the construction of the first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS – Phase One) at the mining site in Ben Guerir.
The group stated in a press release that this phase allows for the gradual launch of a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), noting that it follows the commissioning of the photovoltaic (PV) phase a few months prior, with a total capacity of 202 megawatts, distributed among the solar power plants of Ben Guerir (67 MW), Foum Tizi (30 MW), and Ouled Faris in Khouribga (105 MW).
These facilities are already supplying renewable electricity to the industrial and mining sites of OCP Group.
Through the "BESS" system, OCP Green Energy is taking a new step in integrating its renewable energy capabilities, as it now encompasses not only the production of solar electricity but also the ability to store it and re-inject it when industrial facilities require it.
Following an evaluation and qualification process for specialized system integration companies, "OCP Green Energy" signed a contract in late 2025 with the technology provider "ENVISION" to supply and operate a storage system based on "LFP" (Lithium Iron Phosphate) technology.
The equipment procurement process took place in the fourth quarter of 2025, during a period when market conditions were favorable, prior to the emergence of tensions that affected global supply chains. This timing allowed "OCP Green Energy" to benefit from expenditure levels considered among the lowest in the market.
Furthermore, the exceptional nature of the project and its pioneering position in new technologies and energy transition enabled the acquisition of preferential financing terms, reflecting the confidence of international partners.
These two factors significantly contribute to the competitiveness of the stored kilowatt-hour, in line with OCP Group's "cost leadership" strategy.
This system features a capacity of up to 25 MW / 125 MWh, equivalent to five hours of storage, and is connected to the existing photovoltaic plant at the Ben Guerir mining site. In practice, this system will enable the storage of solar energy production during the day for re-injection during peak demand periods.
Consequently, this system will contribute to reducing the fluctuations in photovoltaic energy production, enhancing the continuity of electricity supply to industrial facilities, and improving the resilience of the electrical system, in addition to providing ancillary services, particularly frequency regulation and reactive power compensation.
The system will operate on a daily charge-discharge cycle, with a lifespan of up to 25 years. The "LFP" technology was specifically chosen for its safety, thermal stability, and sustainability.
This investment, valued at approximately 170 million dirhams, facilitated the acquisition of equipment and batteries for the energy storage system (BESS), and the completion of all storage system integration works, including civil and electrical engineering, as well as project studies and supervision, all of which were carried out entirely by Moroccan expertise.
The project also benefits from a $20 million financing from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), a program supported by the African Development Bank and primarily dedicated to developing innovative solutions for storing energy generated from renewable sources.
Following the completion of the installation of all batteries, converter equipment, and control systems, "OCP Green Energy" has commenced the commissioning of the battery system in preparation for performance tests in the coming weeks, before actual operation begins.
Once operational, this system will enable better alignment between solar energy availability and the needs of industrial facilities. By storing electricity during periods of abundant photovoltaic production and re-injecting it, especially during peak hours, the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will contribute to enhancing the continuity and reliability of renewable energy supply, while reducing the industrial site's electricity bill for OCP Group by 25% during peak hours.
In this regard, Omar Kaddouri, CEO of "OCP Green Energy," stated that "As announced last year during the commissioning of our first photovoltaic solar projects, storage is a natural extension of our energy strategy, enabling us to reconcile the variable production of renewable energies with the constant needs of our industrial platforms, while strengthening the reliability of our energy supply."
He added, according to the press release, that "In addition to meeting the needs of OCP Group, this technology opens up prospects for the seamless integration of renewable energies into the national electricity system, as it will contribute to accelerating Morocco's energy transition by providing greater flexibility and adaptability to the electrical grid."
This new step is part of the development path of "OCP Green Energy." Following the commissioning of 202 MW of photovoltaic production capacity and the launch of the first phase of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the subsidiary continues to implement its roadmap, which aims to cover all of the Group's electricity needs using clean energy sources.
This strategy aims to make renewable energy a lever for competitiveness, resilience, and industrial transformation for OCP Group, while contributing to its decarbonization efforts.
Concurrently, OCP Group and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University are developing "LFP" materials technologies produced from phosphoric acid, leveraging the Group's expertise in the phosphate sector.
Research and development efforts have led to the development of high-performance "LFP" materials and the generation of proprietary intellectual property, including production processes and material properties.
These innovations have now entered the scaling-up phase in preparation for future manufacturing and are part of OCP Group's ambition to contribute to the development of an integrated ecosystem in Morocco around lithium-ion batteries using lithium iron phosphate.
