Africa's Largest Wind Farm Opens in Morocco

The largest wind farm in Africa was inaugurated in Northern Morocco today by King Mohammed VI as part of a larger, ongoing renewable energy plan.

Situated in Melloussa -- roughly 34 kilometers outside of Tangiers -- the new wind farm runs 42 km in length, boasts 165 wind turbines, and a production capacity of 140 megawatts. It joins an already existing smaller wind farm with a 54 mW capacity.

The Moroccan wind farm could save up to 126,000 metric tons of oil per year, and will significantly reduce CO2 emissions. 


It wasn't cheap. With building costs running 250 million euros, financing was widespread. 80 million euros came from the European Bank, while banks in Spain and Germany put in a total of 150 million euros.

Morocco's renewable energy ambitions are well documented, and this latest project is a significant piece of an even bigger US$3 billion energy plan that includes wind, solar, and thermal energy.

Last year, Morocco launched a major solar energy project worth one billion dollars, that will represent 38 percent of the country's electricity generation in 2020. Likewise, it wants the same for wind--looking for 2000 mW of wind energy by 2020 as well. 

And who can blame them? Morocco is the only North African country without oil, which puts them at an economic disadvantage on a global level.

But in the face of energy change -- and their wealth of solar and wind capabilities -- the country stands not only to provide clean energy for itself, but to also sell much of its energy to Europe as part of the Desertec Initiative.

Learn more about Wind Power on eBoom's Wind Energy Page