Morocco is advancing its renewable energy goals with the commissioning of the Jbel Lahdid wind farm in Essaouira. The project, which began operations in October 2024, is part of Morocco's plan to generate over half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Siemens Gamesa installed 54 wind turbines on three mountain ridges between Essaouira and Safi, significantly boosting the country's renewable energy capacity.
The strategy for increasing renewable energy use was initiated in 2009 under King Mohammed IV. Morocco, lacking fossil fuels, relied heavily on imported energy, which was costly and hindered industrial growth. The new strategy aimed to increase energy independence, reduce costs, and improve the CO2 balance.
Renewable energy expansion became a focal point due to Morocco's abundant solar resources and reliable wind conditions along the Atlantic coast. A solar plan was introduced in 2009, followed by a wind energy program in 2010.
KfW has been a financial partner since the beginning of Morocco's wind energy expansion. It provided subsidized loans totaling 200 million euros for two wind farms. Other European partners include the European Investment Bank with a loan of 200 million euros and the European Union with a grant of 15 million euros. The total cost for constructing both wind farms is estimated at 520 million euros, coordinated by KfW as lead financier.
The Office National de l'Electricité et de l'Eau Potable (ONEE) oversees the project implementation through Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Nareva from Morocco and ENEL Green Power from Italy were selected as private developers following an international tender. Siemens Gamesa constructed the turbines.
The Jbel Lahdid wind farm contributes significantly to Morocco's renewable energy output with a capacity of 270 megawatts out of a total national capacity of 2,400 megawatts from renewables. It is expected to produce around 950 gigawatt hours annually, equivalent to powering cities like Fès or Marrakesh and Tangier. The site will also help reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 600,000 tonnes per year.
The local population benefits from job creation and infrastructure improvements due to the project. Siemens Gamesa manufactured some turbine components locally, creating jobs in Morocco alongside another 500 jobs related to construction and operation. New roads built for the project connect rural communities, enhancing development opportunities.
This initiative not only reduces CO2 emissions but also improves living conditions locally while benefiting donor countries' industries involved in financing these projects. Siemens Gamesa has supplied and installed a total of 100 turbines as part of this effort. Future plans could see electricity generated used for producing green hydrogen for export to Germany.