The huge solar-thermal project has already boosted the local economy and will cut Morocco's emissions by 240,000 tonnes per year, according to a report from the European Solar Thermal Association (Estela), SolarPACES and Greenpeace International.

It points out Noor 1 is merely the first phase of the Noor solar-thermal project. Two more are already under development and once completed, Noor will be among the largest solar power production facilities in the world at 580MW.

"Noor