Morocco seeks private investors for wind farms

subscribe

To reduce Morocco's dependence on foreign energy, the Moroccan government is formulating a comprehensive energy-reform strategy that focuses on conservation and renewable energy production. Morocco imports 96% of its energy from abroad at very high costs.

A proposed course of action calls for renewed efforts to invest in the energy sector, particularly in wind energy, through public-private partnerships, which have allowed both an increase in safety standards and a relative reduction in investment costs, making renewable energy a realistic and competitive alternative, especially when prices for oil and gas are at high levels.

Morocco has very strong potential for renewable energy projects. Wind potential is particularly high, especially in the north and south of the country:

• Essaouira, Tangier and Tetouan have average wind speeds of 9.5 to 11 meters per second at 40 meters;

• Tarfaya, Taza and Dakhla have average wind speeds between 7.5 and 9.5 meters per second at 40 meters;

• Morocco has a total wind power potential of 7,936 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year;

• electricity consumption in Morocco in 2007 was 22.6 Twh;

• a detailed atlas of wind speed and patterns in Morocco was published in 1995 and updated in 2007;

• more than 50 wind-measurement stations were installed between 1990 and 2007.

Morocco is attempting to obtain private funding for the Tarfaya 300-megawatt (MW) wind farm project. Morocco's Office National de Electricite invited potential bidders for the Tarfaya wind farm project for a final discussion about project specifications and technical clarifications in the third week of October.

The winning bidder will build a 200-MW wind farm, which will begin operating in 2011. The developer will have the option of increasing the size of the wind farm to 300 MW at a later stage.

Related News

caracas blackout

Venezuela: Electricity Recovery Continues as US Withdraws Diplomatic Staff

CARACAS - Venezuelan authorities continue working to bring back online the electric grid following a massive outage that started on Thursday, March 7.

According to on-the-ground testimonies and official sources, power finally began to reach Venezuela’s western states, including Merida and Zulia, on Monday night, around 96 hours after the blackout started. Electricity has now been restored at least in some areas of every state, with authorities urging citizens to avoid using heavy usage devices while efforts to restore the whole grid continue.

President Nicolas Maduro gave a televised address on Tuesday evening, offering more details about the alleged attack against the…

READ MORE
london-underground-power-outage-disrupts-rush-hour

London Underground Power Outage Disrupts Rush Hour

READ MORE

heating-and-electricity-costs-in-germany-set-to-rise

Heating and Electricity Costs in Germany Set to Rise

READ MORE

Sergeev (left) and Likhachov (right)

Cooperation agreement for Rosatom and Russian Academy

READ MORE

ferguson fire

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Ensure More Wildfire Resilient Power Grid

READ MORE