Morocco Launches First 1,000 MW Offshore Wind Project Near Essaouira
Doha – Morocco has officially announced its first offshore wind farm project with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts to be built near Essaouira. The initiative was unveiled on June 10, in Nice during the Mediterranean Day of the United Nations Conference on the Oceans (UNOC3).
The project is among the first investments funded by the Mediterranean Blue Partnership (MBP), a multi-donor fund established to support sustainable blue economy in the southern Mediterranean and Red Sea. The wind farm is scheduled to begin construction by 2029 and will be Morocco's first offshore wind energy development.
'This project is part of a dynamic that combines energy independence, industrial attractiveness and economic competitiveness,' said Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition.
The initiative aligns with the country's national strategy to secure more than 52% of its electricity mix from renewable sources by 2030.
The Essaouira coast was specifically chosen for its strong and consistent marine winds, with average speeds reaching 11 meters per second.
These conditions make the area particularly suitable for offshore wind development and ensure favorable technical profitability for electricity generation.
The MBP, which is financing the project's feasibility studies and technical assistance, has now reached €22 million in available funds. Spain recently signed an €8.5 million commitment to the partnership, joining Sweden, Germany, France, and the European Union as contributors.
Beyond Morocco's wind project, two other initiatives have been selected for this first phase of MBP funding. In Jordan, a project will restore the Ayla oasis in the Gulf of Aqaba, regenerating a coral ecosystem and implementing a thermal storage system (TES).
The coral coverage is expected to increase by 240%, while the TES system will save more than 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually.
In Egypt, a wastewater treatment plant in East Alexandria, scheduled to be operational by 2028, will process 300,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily. This facility will benefit 1.5 million people and directly reduce marine pollution.
The announcement comes as the global offshore wind sector is experiencing rapid expansion. According to Rystad Energy, worldwide offshore wind capacity is projected to increase by 19 gigawatts in 2025.
Morocco is now joining this growing global market, potentially encouraging other Mediterranean countries to pursue similar initiatives.
Since the first ministerial declaration on sustainable blue economy in 2015, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has mobilized over €500 million for more than 250 regional projects.
These initiatives span maritime clusters, decarbonization, marine biodiversity, blue jobs, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, pollution prevention, and circular economy development.
The Essaouira offshore wind project represents an important step in Morocco's energy transition journey.
Previously focused primarily on solar energy and onshore wind development, the country is now venturing into offshore wind technology, strengthening its position as a regional leader in renewable energy.
Read also: Morocco, UAE Sign $14 Billion Megadeal: Key Details on the Largest Private Investment in Morocco's History Tags: essaouirarenewable energy
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