EIB issues tender for Morocco offshore wind study

The tender for the 24-month contract, Technical Assistance for Offshore Wind Feasibility Study, notes that recent studies have shown that Morocco has a high potential to exploit offshore wind, particularly along its Atlantic coast where wind speeds are high and waters are shallow and suitable for fixed-bottom offshore wind.

The tender further noted that the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) is committed to pursuing the development of an offshore wind industry, building upon the competencies gained industrywide in other locations. To this end, MASEN plans to develop a first offshore windfarm in the country, off the coast of Essaouira. 

The objective of the technical assistance contract is for a consultant to support MASEN as it carries out studies required to assess the feasibility of the project. The winning contracter will provide support for the feasibility study, complementary studies and during an environmental and social impact assessment. The contract has an estimated value of €2.0M (US$2.2M). The tender issued this month is a relaunch of a procurement procedure cancelled in July 2024.

According to the World Bank, Morocco has a ‘fantastic’ offshore wind resource. It recently conducted a technical analysis of Morocco’s offshore wind potential, and found that apart from generating clean electricity, Morocco could also use energy from offshore wind to produce green hydrogen. Doing so would also help the country avoid transmission issues and allow Morocco to become an energy exporter.

A report from the World Bank said Morocco still imports most of the energy it needs, but by 2030, renewable energy sources could provide more than half of total installed capacity.

The World Bank said offshore wind would have to compete with other renewable energy sources in the country “but its scale, proximity to coastal centres of population, ability to generate long-term employment and nearby countries also in need of renewable energy bode well for its potential.”