Morocco has unveiled plans to develop first offshore wind farm in Africa. The wind farm aligns with Morocco’s national target to generate over 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, reinforcing the country’s leadership in clean energy.
While Morocco has made notable progress in solar and onshore wind energy, this marks its first foray into offshore wind development. The project will be a 1,000MW facility located off the Atlantic coast near Essaouira and is expected to begin construction by 2029. This ambitious project is among the initial ventures to be financed under the Mediterranean Blue Partnership (MBP) a multi-donor fund dedicated to advancing a sustainable blue economy across the Southern Mediterranean and Red Sea regions.
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Wind potential
Experts, including the World Bank, have identified Morocco as having vast offshore wind potential, especially along its Atlantic coastline. The selection of Essaouira stems from its favorable conditions—shallow coastal waters and steady high-speed winds averaging 11 meters per second.
Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition, Leila Benali, described the initiative as a strategic pillar of the country’s energy policy, emphasizing its role in achieving energy sovereignty, attracting industrial investment, and boosting economic competitiveness. The project is also expected to support Morocco’s growing interest in green hydrogen production, powered by clean electricity from renewables. As construction approaches, the Essaouira wind farm is poised to become a landmark in Africa’s renewable energy journey and a model for sustainable development across the region.
