Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen) on Friday did the launching of a pre-qualification round for building and operating of a 400MW Morocco Wind Farm complex that will be situated in the northern part of Morocco. Also known as the Nassim Nord, the wind project comprises of 150MW Koudia Al Baida that is located in the northern provinces of Fahs Anjra and M’diq-Fnideq.
Additionally, the project shall entail the construction of a colossal 250MW Nassim Dar Chaoui that is located in the region of Tangier and Tetouan provinces as revealed by MASEN in a statement.
Deadline for the Submission of the Bids for the 400MW Morocco Wind Farm Project
The deadline for the submission of the bids of the company regarding the project has been set on June 24th. “As a result if the financing structure of the project, this brand new program is set to promote greater engagement of the private sector in deploying of Renewable Energies with commercial banks being in participation, both from Morocco and at the international level, in its funding,” the statement elaborated further.
This upcoming wind project is in line with the strategy of Morocco to ramp up its overall capacity of renewable energy, with an aim of ensuring that renewables contribute at least 52% of its electricity by the close of the decade.
The crucial aspect of this wind project is the nation’s flagship project, the colossal Noor Midelt. This venture is set to incorporate both the solar photovoltaic (PV) and also the concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. The project is conducted in continuous progressive phases.
Morocco Emerges as Wind Energy Giant in Africa
In the wind energy sector, both Morocco and South Africa stand as the leaders in the African continent in the production of renewable energy. As indicated in a report that was published by the Global Wind Energy Council in the month of October 2023, both the operational and under-construction projects of Morocco that were scheduled to be commissioned in the year 2023 amounted to 9GW at the end of the year 2020. This report pointed out Morocco as a region with consistent growing wind energy capacity. The Koudia Al Baida Wind Farm that is located on the outskirts of Tangier, is expected to expand from a capacity of 54MW then to 120MW and later on be upgraded to an impressive capacity of 200MW.
Private Sector Contribution to the Wind Energy Sector in Morocco
The positive momentum recorded in the growth of the wind energy sector is also accredited to the engagement of the operators in the private sector. These operators try to catch up with the transition of the green energy sector. Additionally, the Moroccan industries are also increasingly taking control of their industrial energy needs by constructing their very own wind farms for generation of clean energy.Lastly, the crucial sectors of the economy of Morocco like the cement and fertilizer production sector have all embraced the incorporation of wind energy to provide power for their industrial operations. Big companies such as the OCP Group, the LafagerHolcim, and even Cimat Company are among leading companies in Morocco that are spearheading this green energy initiative.
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