A consortium led by renewable energy consultancy OWC has been chosen by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to provide a comprehensive feasibility study for the development of Morocco’s first offshore windfarm.
The offshore wind project in question is endorsed by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) and will be assessed with a particular focus on construction on the Atlantic coast near Essaouira, Morocco.
OWC is leading the consortium, which also includes specialist marine, environmental and wind consultancies as well as African, European and Moroccan engineering and project management partners including PHENIXA, Gaïa Terre Bleue, NOVEC and SOFECO.
The feasibility study will be conducted over a two-year period under EIB’s contract and is funded by the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) Trust Fund.
It includes offshore wind market and supply chain studies, site selection services, wind yield assessment through a meteorological wind campaign, full offshore wind farm concept design, ports and logistics studies, risk analysis and regulatory framework review.
The study will be complemented by grid impact and integration assessments delivered in conjunction with Moroccan grid specialists, detailed marine advisory and environmental and social impact assessments.
OWC regional director for Europe and North Africa Hakim Mouslim said, “This is a major milestone in Morocco’s and Africa’s renewable energy journey. Together with our consortium partners, OWC will support EIB and MASEN in every aspect of this pioneering project – from market analysis and technical assessments to geoscience, offshore wind design, and marine logistics.”
OWC will utilize its pool of in-house offshore wind and engineering consultants across teams in France, UK and Germany to support this project. It will also draw on the marine expertise and ports and harbors experience of its sister company ABL.
OWC is headquartered in London, with an expanding global presence. Part of Aqualis – leading international marine and energy consultants – OWC works across the group’s extensive global footprint in more than 60 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
