In terms of wind power development, Morocco enjoys quite favourable wind resource patterns, both in the northern part of the country near Tanger and to the west where certain regions benefit from regular trade winds.
In 2022, 13.48% of electricity produced in Morocco was coming from wind power.[1]
Wind power could be a major contributor in the electricity sector of Morocco. According to data presented by minister Amara in Madrid in 2015, the country’s onshore potential is estimated at 25 GW, of which 6 GW could be installed by 2030. The average wind speed is 5.3 metres per second (m/s) at more than 90% of the country’s territory, according to the wind atlas, developed by the Moroccan Renewable Energy Development Center (CDER). The Tanger and Tetouan region (North of Morocco) measured particularly high at 8 to 11 m/s, and 7 to 8.5 m/s were recorded for Dakhla, Tarfaya, Taza and Essaouira.
The installed capacity 2014 was 750 MW. According to data from Morocco's energy ministry, a total of 220 MW of private wind energy projects have been built until the end of 2016. Another 120 MW are to go online soon at the Khalladi wind farm in the vicinity of Tangiers, northern Morocco. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Banque Marocaine du Commerce Exterieur (BMCE) have announced they will provide a financing package of EUR 126 million (USD 133.3m) for the development of the project.
The objective was to generate 2,000 MW by 2020.[2] Morocco's installed wind capacity reaches 1,788 MW in 2022, ranking second in Africa behind South Africa (3,442 MW) and ahead of Egypt (1,702 MW). The commissionings of 2022 amounted to 276 MW and those of 2021 to 197 MW.[3]
For example, the 300-MW Tarfaya wind farm, developed by Tarec (Trarfaya Energy Company), a 50/50 joint venture of Nareva Holding and International Power Ltd of Engie Group, enjoys a load factor of 45%, one of the best in the world for onshore wind.
In 2010, the kingdom launched the development of 1,000 MW of wind power in two phases. The first phase—a 150 MW wind farm in Taza was awarded to a consortium of French EDF Energies Nouvelle and Japanese Mitsui in 2012. It is slated for completion in 2024. Last year, Morocco awarded the second, 850-MW phase via a tender to Italy’s Enel Green Power SpA (BIT:EGPW), in consortium with Moroccan Nareva Holding and Siemens Wind Power AS. The consortium will build five projects—the 150 MW Tanger 2 in the northern part of the country, 300 MW at Tiskrad, Laayoune, 200 MW at Jbel Lahdid, Essaouira, 100 MW near Boujdour, and 100 MW at Midelt, some 400 km east of Casablanca. The tender has attracted bids of about MAD 300 (USD 30/EUR 28) per MWh on average.
All wind farms will be developed under public private partnership and structured under the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) scheme. Commissioning of the tender projects was expected between 2017 and 2020.
Morocco Renewable Energy wind projects planned to be installed through 2030:
| Name | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|
| Tanger1 | 140 MW | |
| Tanger2 | 150 MW | |
| Khallada | 120 MW | |
| Haouma | 50 MW | |
| Koudia Baida | 300 MW | |
| Khallada | 120 MW | |
| Taza | 150 MW | |
| Midelt | 100MW | |
| Taza | 100 MW | |
| Jbel Hdid | 200 MW | |
| Akfenir | 200 MW | |
| Tarfaya | 300 MW | |
| Tiskrad | 300 MW | |
| Boujdour | 100 MW | |
| Laayoune | 50 MW | |
| Amougdoul | 60 MW |