With more than 900 MW already installed or under construction in Africa, this 120MW project in Morocco adds to Vestas’ growing presence in the region. With reference to Vestas Wind Systems A/S’ company announcement No. 63/2015 of 30 November 2015, the company has signed a firm and unconditional order with Acwa Power to supply 40 units of the V90-3.0 MW wind turbine for the 120 MW Khalladi wind park, which will be located in the windy Tangiers region of northern Morocco.
The contract comprises the supply of the wind turbines as well as a 20-year Active Output Management (AOM) 4000 service agreement to guarantee the optimal performance of the wind park. The Khalladi wind park will be the first renewable energy project financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Morocco that allows private producers to sell electricity through power purchase agreements to industrial off-takers. In addition to EBRD, the project will be co-financed by the Moroccan bank BMCE and Argan Infrastructure Fund, an Africa-focused infrastructure fund managed by Infra Invest.
Turbine delivery is planned for the second quarter of 2017, while commissioning is expected for the fourth quarter of 2017. President of Vestas Mediterranean, Marco Graziano, comments, “Being Vestas’ first order in Morocco since 2000 this project represents a big step forward for us, as we continue to work hard to build a stronger presence in the country and contribute to the development of the growing Moroccan wind industry”.
Morocco has put in place an ambitious plan to accelerate the deployment of wind energy. The Moroccan Integrated Energy Project envisages increasing the share of wind power in the national energy mix to around 20 percent by 2020. Vestas has recently established a local presence in Casablanca.
Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 57,300 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by over 82 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Vestas has delivered wind energy in 75 countries, providing jobs for around 21,500 people at service and project sites, research facilities, factories, and offices all over the world. With 50 percent more megawatts installed than anyone else in the industry and over 75 GW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide, Vestas is the world leader in wind energy.