Morocco’s Wind Energy Industry to contribute $1.7 Bln in Country’s Economy

The wind energy Industry in Morocco is expected to create 75,000 additional jobs and contribute $1.2 billion in the country’s economy during the four coming years, according to a report released by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
A country which installs 1 GW of onshore wind energy capacity per year could unlock a range of socioeconomic and environmental benefits, says the Council’s report, citing in this regard the example of Morocco.
The wind industry has demonstrated its pivotal role in supporting thriving local economies through skilled jobs creation and the maintaining of critical infrastructure while dramatically contributing to reducing carbon emissions and delivering clean, affordable and secure energy.
The WGEC report recalls the COP22 hosted by Morocco in 2016 and the major reforms launched by the Kingdom to develop its renewable energy sector.
This involves a target of producing over half of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030, up from around 15% today. As a developing country with low per capita emissions, Morocco is already implementing measures to achieve its updated 2021 NDC targets.
Morocco remains largely dependent on the international energy market, as it imports more than 90% of its energy needs. Achieving energy security has been a top priority for Morocco over the last decade, and current high gas prices have greatly increased national energy costs, underscoring the need for Morocco to adopt a more self-sufficient energy policy.
Morocco seeks to increase security of supply by reducing dependence on energy imports, including through the expansion of renewable sources for electricity production.
The GWEC says Morocco has excellent wind resources, and currently has one of the largest onshore wind fleets on the African continent, after South Africa and Egypt. Installed capacity is forecast to reach 5 GW by 2035, supported by aggressive renewable energy targets.
Morocco currently has 1,512 MW of installed onshore wind capacity, and is forecast by GWEC Market Intelligence to install about 200-510 MW per year from 2023 to 2027.
Under an accelerated transition scenario, the North African Kingdom could install 43% more onshore wind energy capacity in the next five years, says the report.
In 2019, Morocco adopted the Climate Change Policy which aims to add 10 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, of which 4.2 GW will be wind and 4.5 GW solar. Further plans aim to have 80% of the energy supplied by renewable energy by 2050.