Morocco is set to build Africa’s first offshore wind farm and has begun searching for an international consultant to conduct advanced studies for the project. According to the British newspaper JC Air, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) has launched a tender in cooperation with the European Investment Bank for technical assistance.

The preferred location for the project is the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Essaouira, a popular destination for windsurfers due to the continuous airflow from the ocean to the desert low-pressure area. The strong winds and shallow waters in this region offer high potential for wind energy production.

MASEN aims to install at least 6 gigawatts of wind power by 2030 as part of its plan to generate over 52% of the country’s energy from renewable sources. This initiative follows a €2 million grant awarded by the European Investment Bank in September 2022 for an initial study to prepare for a small pilot project. The European Investment Bank’s Operations Director in Morocco stated that “the technical assistance will contribute to achieving climate goals.”