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Morocco's Masen seeks bidders for a battery-storage test bench at Noor Ouarzazate; offers due Friday 27 November 2026
The World Bank-backed international tender covers design, supply, installation and commissioning of a facility to test grid-scale batteries independently of manufacturers.
The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) has launched an international call for bids to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) testbed on the research and development platform of the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex. Bids are due by 2pm Moroccan time on Friday 27 November 2026, according to the World Bank's procurement notice. Bidding documents are free at etendering.masen.ma, and bids must be delivered to Masen's offices in Rabat: electronic bidding is not permitted.
**The contract.** According to The Moorish Times, the tender (RFB No. 13/2026/MASEN) was issued on 14 October and covers the design, supply, installation, commissioning and handover of a complete test bench, including civil works, electrical works and staff training. The Moorish Times, citing the World Bank's notice, puts the estimated contract value at USD 3.25 million. Le Matin lists the testing equipment, control and measurement systems and electrical installations among the deliverables.
**Funding end date.** Every project activity must be finished before the financing closes at the end of October 2027, both outlets report. Support comes from the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).
**What it is for.** Masen wants a national reference platform, neutral towards manufacturers, for testing, validating, qualifying and demonstrating large batteries. The bench would measure industrial batteries' capacity, efficiency, wear over time and grid response, according to The Moorish Times. Le Matin adds that the platform should also support applied research and work on battery lifespan, and says ESMAP is deploying a network of such facilities in Morocco and two other countries.
**The road here.** Masen sought a design consultant through a call for expressions of interest in 2025. According to the World Bank's award notice, the Paris firm Kurybees won that contract in May 2026, for 14 months and EUR 150,151.82.
**Why it matters:** Battery storage is listed by Masen as part of integrating more renewables into Morocco's power mix, and the tender sets a fixed date for equipment suppliers and integrators to bid.