Sahara: Morocco in talks with UAE over investment of up to $10 Bln in wind energy projects

Morocco is reportedly negotiating with some UAE companies wind energy projects in its southern provinces. The total investment of these projects is estimated between $8 and $10 billion,according to Arabic energy-focused Attaqa media platform.

The Emirati companies engaged in talks are Masdar,AMEA Power,and Taqa. They are negotiating with the North African Kingdom 4 wind power plants with a production capacity reaching 5,000 megawatts (MW),said the Washington-based news website.

These projects are part of Morocco’s drive to increase renewable energies in the electricity mix to 52 percent by 2030. The Moroccan Saharan provinces currently host four operational wind farms with a total capacity of approximately 750 MW. These are Tarfaya (300 MW),Aftissat (200 MW),Laayoune (50 MW),and Akhfenir (200 MW). Other projects are underway in Boujdour (300 MW) and Tiskrad (100 MW).

Morocco has a significant wind energy potential,estimated at 25,000 MW,with a large portion of that coming from its extensive coastline. The country already has a substantial installed wind energy capacity,the second largest in Africa,and is actively working to increase its renewable energy share.

Morocco’s Atlantic coast,in particular,boasts strong and consistent winds,with speeds exceeding 9 m/s in some areas,making it ideal for wind energy development.