Morocco officially launches its first 1000 MW offshore wind energy project

The Moroccan government announces the construction of a 1000 MW offshore wind farm off Essaouira, marking the country's entry into a previously untapped sector, with construction scheduled for 2029.

Share:

Morocco has officially launched its first offshore wind project, with a planned capacity of 1000 megawatts (MW). The project, located off the coast of Essaouira, was announced on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice. This initiative, led by the Moroccan government, forms an integral part of the national strategy aimed at diversifying energy sources and increasing the share of renewable energies to over 52% by 2030. According to Leïla Benali, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition, the project simultaneously targets strengthening energy independence, industrial attractiveness, and economic competitiveness.

Mediterranean partnership and financing

The offshore wind project benefits from initial support provided by the Mediterranean Blue Partnership, a multilateral fund established to finance initiatives linked to a sustainable blue economy. Funding will primarily cover feasibility studies and technical assistance required for the project’s implementation. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2029, allowing an extensive preparatory phase focused on technical and economic aspects. The Mediterranean Blue Partnership is intended to financially support Mediterranean countries in sustainably developing their marine resources.

Local industrial and energy potential

Moroccan coastlines, especially around Essaouira and Tangier, are renowned for their significant wind potential, with average wind speeds reaching 11 meters per second. This wind level represents a notable economic advantage, ensuring favorable technical profitability for offshore electricity production. The project also creates opportunities for local industries, particularly in manufacturing equipment specific to offshore wind energy and associated technical services. Local industrial sectors could thus be strengthened, responding to the growing demand for equipment and infrastructure dedicated to this type of energy.

International context and global prospects

This development occurs within an international context characterized by rapid expansion in the offshore wind sector, with global capacity expected to increase by 19 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, according to estimates from the consulting firm Rystad Energy. Morocco thus joins a rapidly growing global market, marked by increasing competition among countries seeking investment and technological expertise in offshore wind. The Moroccan project could encourage other Mediterranean countries to consider similar initiatives, thereby contributing to the region’s broader adoption of this technology.

OX2 acquires a 34-turbine wind project in the Dalarna region, representing 14% of the county’s electricity consumption, marking a step forward in its commercial collaborations with Eolus and Dala Vind.
Nordex Group records a significant jump in profitability and order intake, reaching EUR 2.3 bn in the second quarter of 2025, confirming its financial trajectory with a positive free cash flow.
German manufacturer ENERCON is investing up to €30 mn in expanding its Aurich site, with public financial backing to boost the ramp-up of its new turbines designed for the onshore wind market.
The Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, with a capacity of 450 megawatts, comes online off the coast of Scotland, mobilising GBP200 mn ($259 mn) in public and private investment for the region.
The British government is increasing by 11% the guaranteed price for offshore wind electricity to support projects facing inflation and supply chain constraints.
DP Energy plans to build a 1,400 MW wind farm near Julia Creek, supported by an energy storage system, enhancing industrial momentum and supply prospects in northern Queensland.
Equinor announces a significant impairment on its offshore wind project Empire Wind, due to regulatory changes and tariffs, affecting its quarterly results.
Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation No. 3 (SEPCO3) has signed an EPC contract for the construction of the 700 MW Yanbu wind energy project under Saudi Arabia's National Renewable Energy Program.
The 17 MW floating wind turbine prototype, the most powerful in the world, was launched in China, marking a significant advancement in offshore turbine manufacturing and supporting the development of deep-sea offshore wind power.
RWE has inaugurated the Mondonuovo wind farm in Italy, a 53.1 MW facility capable of powering 55,000 Italian households. This project marks a key milestone in the development of renewable energy in Italy.
Swiss company Wysenergy has secured public funding for its first wind project in France, located in the municipality of Faux-Fresnay and selected under the PPE2 tender scheme.
Energy supplier OVO plans to invest several hundred million pounds in the renovation of British wind farms, aiming to increase national capacity and accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Danish group Cadeler has taken early delivery of the Wind Keeper, its eighth vessel, now tied to a three-year contract with Vestas worth a firm EUR210m ($228m), including additional options.
bp has announced the sale of its US onshore wind operations to LS Power, strengthening the American group’s 21GW portfolio and continuing its global asset divestment strategy.
Dstgroup, through its subsidiary dstventures, invests €1.5mn ($1.62mn) in Gazelle Wind Power and commits to building the structures for the Nau Azul project, marking progress for the floating wind industry in Portugal.
German group wpd takes over the teams and a portfolio of 17 wind projects from Calycé, consolidating its position in the French market and expanding its regional presence, particularly in the Grand Est, with the support of Envinergy.
SPIE Wind Connect partners with Van Oord to connect and test 21 high-voltage cables for the Windanker offshore wind farm, marking a key milestone in the development of Germany’s offshore wind sector.
Envision Energy and FERA Australia announce an agreement to develop up to 1 GW of wind and 1.5 GWh of storage on the Australian market, laying the foundation for a new hybrid power plant model.
German group RWE has completed installation of all 100 monopile foundations at Sofia, a 1.4 GW offshore wind farm located 195 kilometres from the British coast, marking a major step in the construction of the project.
Greece’s wind sector reaches a new milestone with 5.5 GW installed, driven by 37 new turbines and €180 mn in investments during the first half of 2025, according to ELETAEN.