Jan Dodd, Windpower Monthly
MOROCCO: The Belgian-Dutch developer WindVision has made its first move outside Europe with the establishment of a subsidiary in Morocco.
The Tetohuan 35MW project – Morocco estimate it has 25GW wind potential
The Compagnie Marocaine des Energies (CME) is developing a 250MW project at Tétouan, in the north of Morocco. It is carrying out studies related to the application for siting permits, according to company director Hassan Nadir.
CME also has other projects under development, notably around Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast.
Morocco, which estimates its potential onshore resource at 25GW, is targetting 2GW of installed capacity by 2020, to be built with a mix of public and private investment. It has 292MW turning to date.
The country’s state utility ONE has launched a tender process for the “development, design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance” of up to 850MW of wind power.
ONE called for expressions of interest to be in by 2 March, after which it plans to issue the main tender to prequalified bidders in the second quarter.