I was solar energy.

Unfortunately, it appears that one of the largest solar projects worldwide, in one of the sunniest places, with a capacity to generate 580 MW of me, is entrenched in unequal power dynamics, marginalization of the local population, and land dispossession. Moreover, the Moroccan government is extended its grip on territory and resources, facilitated by a neoliberal sustainability discourse and colonial environmental narratives.
Given the immense challenge of mitigating climate change and the large role that I will likely play, the Ouarzazate Solar Power Station is nevertheless a good project to derive recommendations for future solar development from. These include, but are not limited to¹:

1. Conducting a participatory stakeholder analysis before the start of the development, to identify the needs of communities
2. Increasing the stakeholder engagement, to ensure that vulnerable groups in particular are consulted
3. Promoting women’s empowerment and involvement with the project, as employment and income are predominantly captured by men
4. Allocating parts of the revenue from the project directly to local communities, instead of a central government
5. Closely monitoring regional water availability and ensuring the ability to quickly respond to decreased water levels.

Perhaps then, the light in the desert will be shining bright for everyone.

References
1. Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy and Germanwatch, 2015. Energy and development: exploring the local livelihood dimension of the Noor I CSP project in Southern Morocco.