The construction of Africa’s first offshore windfarm off the coast of Morocco is expected to commence by 2029. These remarks were noted by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), an intergovernmental organization of 43 states. The organization noted that the project will be one of the first ‘Blue Mediterranean Partnershp (BMP)’ investments. Furthermore, they also noted the scope of its significance as Africa’s first such project. The plan for the windfarm was unveiled at the United Nations Ocean Conference Mediterranean Day in Nice, France.
More than $578 million has been mobilized for more than 250 regional projects of this type over the years since 2015. The first three projects that will be undertaken as a result of recent BMP investments are spread across various regions. These include the offshore wind project near Essaouira in Morocco and the Ayla Oasis Regeneration Project. Based in Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba, the project will help build a thermal energy storage system. Lastly is the East Alexandria Wastewater Treatment and Sludge Management Plant, expected to be operational by 2028.
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Scope of Implementation on Africa’s First Offshore Windfarm
In September 2024, the European Investment Bank re-issued a tender on Africa’s first offshore windfarm. The tender was for a contract for technical assistance for a feasibility study on offshore wind in Morocco. The 24-month tender contract noted that Morocco has a high potential to explore offshore wind energy. Particularly, it noted that along its Atlantic Coast was more suitable based on the wind speeds. Moreover, the waters are shallow and suitable for fixed-bottom offshore wind. Privately owned Morocco Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) has occasionally noted its commitment to pursue offshore wind energy.
It aims to achieve this based on competencies gained industrywide in other locations. With this focus in mind, it anticipates that the project off the coast of Essaouira would be the country’s first offshore windfarm. Once complete, the project is expected to produce approximately 1 GW of electricity annually. Furthermore, the energy produced from the project could be used to produce green hydrogen. Doing so would elevate Morocco’s energy status to an exporter as they would be able to address transmission issues.
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Morocco’s 990MW Gas Power Plant Plans Unveiled
The $7bn Morocco Ammonia Project: World’s First Power-to-X Green Ammonia Programme
