ESI AFRICA
African industries are focused on boosting intra-Africa trade through local manufacturing hubs, which will drive wealth back into the Continent’s economies.
Wind turbine components manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), has officially inaugurated its new rotor blade factory in Tangier, Morocco.
The announcement was made at an event earlier this month attended by Moroccan Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid El Alamy, and Siemens Gamesa CEO Markus Tacke.
Wind turbine factory
The company said in a statement that the “the plant of 37,500 square meters, which started production in April 2017, is strategically located in the industrial zone of Tanger Automotive City, at approximately 35 kilometres from Tanger-Med port and ideally positioned between Europe and Africa.”
The statement further noted: “In the context of the Accelerated Industrialization Plan launched in April 2014 by the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, the blade plant will create 600 attractive jobs, as well as an estimated number of 500 auxiliary jobs.
The firm explained: “A training centre of 3,500 square meters was created to facilitate the knowledge transfer from Denmark to Tangier.
“The learning process ensures the complete transfer of the technical and process skill sets necessary to optimise the manufacturing process.”
Project benefits
The Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Mr El Alamy, underlined the importance of this project: “The first wind turbine blades in Africa and the Middle East will be produced in Tangier and it represents a pride for the Kingdom.
“This pioneer project allows localizing value and announces the development of an ecosystem “renewable energy industry” which reinforces the strategic choices of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aimed at the development of a green economy.”
Ricardo Chocarro, Onshore Business CEO of Siemens Gamesa, concluded: “In Morocco, the demand for electricity increased at an average annual rate of 6.7% from 2003 to 2013. Thus, renewable energy is particularly attractive, offering a secure supply of domestically-produced power and contributing to energy independence. Our commitment to the government and people of Morocco is clear: we will work together with you in meeting your energy challenges, today and in the future.”
The new blade factory plays an important role in contributing to the Morocco’s national programme to achieve production of electricity from clean energy to up to 52% by 2030, of which 20% is generated by wind. Read more…
The 850MW project that will be built by the consortium Siemens Gamesa, Nareva and ENEL represents a major milestone in this goal, the firm noted.
