Located in northern Morocco, to the East of Fès, the Taza wind project will be equipped with 50 Alstom wind turbines of 3MW each. EDF Energies Nouvelles, Mitsui and Alstom will subcontract at least 30 % of the construction works to Moroccan companies.
This new 150MW project launched by ONE in May 2011 under a public-private partnership scheme will be followed in 2012 by an additional 850MW tender process whose procedure of pre-qualification is in progress. Keen to leverage on its extremely good sun and wind conditions, authorities in Morocco are planning to develop at least 2GW wind energy and 2GW solar energy programs by 2020.
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EDF Energies Nouvelles is also to open a 100%-owned subsidiary in Casablanca, EDF EN Maroc, with the aim of driving the development of both wind and solar energy activities in the country in partnership with the Moroccan Authorities and local companies. EDF EN Maroc along with Mitsui will be responsible for the design, financing, development and construction of the Taza wind project and will operate the facility under a 20 year agreement.
- We are very happy to have the chance to be involved in this high quality wind project, which will be the first achievement of EDF Energies Nouvelles in Morocco. It demonstrates EDF EN’s ability to develop well-adapted local solutions and to address the needs of public authorities in terms of green electricity generation and industrial integration, said Fabienne Demol, Executive VP - New Business Development at EDF Energies Nouvelles.
- ONE’s decision on the Taza project is also a great opportunity for EDF EN to build a long term partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco and to participate in the creation of renewable projects in a country with high development potential.
