We are thrilled to announce that the second charity we have supported this month via Ecologi; a platform that enables individuals and businesses to take climate action by funding verified carbon reduction projects around the world, is the Solar Power Project in Morocco. This is a project that aims to harness the abundant solar energy in the country and provide clean and reliable electricity.

Solar energy is one of the most abundant, clean, and free sources of energy on the planet. It does not emit greenhouse gases or pollutants, and it does not depend on finite fossil fuels. It also has the potential to reduce energy poverty and increase energy security, especially in regions that lack access to reliable and affordable electricity.

Solar energy represented less than 2% of the energy mix in Morocco in 2021, despite the country having high potential for both solar and wind power generation. Morocco is also a net importer of energy, and the country is steadily developing new sources of renewable energy to meet rising domestic demand.

To address these challenges, the Ouarzazate Solar Power Station is one of the largest concentrated solar projects in the world. The project covers an area of 3,000 hectares and makes use of thousands of concave mirrors to concentrate solar energy and produce 750 GWh of power per year. That is enough to power over 200,000 homes.

The project also maintains up to 7 hours of solar energy storage, which can be used to deliver power even after the sun sets. This is a key advantage over conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which only generate electricity when the sun is shining. The region selected for the project is highly favourable for solar energy generation, receiving among the highest amounts of annual sunlight of any region in the world.

The project was launched in 2013 and has a 25-year crediting period. It is verified by the Verified Carbon Standard. It is also part of the Noor Solar Program, a national initiative that aims to generate 42% of Morocco’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

By supporting this project, we (via the sale of our crystal jewellery) are contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy and a clean energy future. For each megawatt-hour of electricity generated by this project, we are avoiding the emissions that would result from burning fossil fuels and reducing the dependence on imported energy in Morocco. We are also supporting the creation of local jobs, the improvement of social services, and the enhancement of environmental quality.

If we were to increase the use of utility-scale solar photovoltaics globally, we could avoid 44-119 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, depending on the climate mitigation ambition and electrification of demand side sectors. That is equivalent to taking 9.6-26 billion cars off the road for a year. Furthermore, we could increase the share of renewable energy in the global electricity mix, and reduce the costs and risks associated with fossil fuel dependence.

By supporting solar energy, we are also supporting the provision of clean, reliable, and affordable electricity, which is essential for human development, economic growth, and social well-being. We are helping to improve the quality of life and opportunities for millions of people in Morocco and beyond.

We are proud to be part of this project and to support Ecologi in our mission to make climate action accessible and impactful. We invite you to join us in taking climate action by visiting their website and choosing a project that resonates with you. Together, we can make a difference for the planet and the people.

Love,

Xander & Co. ☀️