Think of the Kingdom of Morocco and you would not imagine wind farms stretching into the horizon. But the North African country has set itself a wind-filled challenge, one that could be a model for sustainable development. Morocco aims to increase its electricity output from wind from its current 280 MW (megawatt) to 2,000 MW by 2020.

To reach this impressive output, Morocco will invest about $3.5 billion into the project, to make optimum use of its estimated 25,000 MW of potential wind power.

Growing its renewable energy sector is vital for Morocco as it is Africa's biggest fuel importer (about 95 percent), having no natural fuel resources of its own. This factor is no doubt driving the wind power efforts, which have the added advantage of being a low carbon power source.

The first phase of Morocco's wind power project was launched in June last year by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, at the Tangier 1, Africa's largest wind farm. In addition to the 280 MW output already operational, 720 MW is under development. This comprises five sites: Tarfaya (300 MW), Akhfenir (200 MW) and Bab El Oued (50 MW) in Laayoune, and Haouma (50 MW) and Jbel Khalladi (120 MW) in Tetouan. Other 1,000 MW farm is also to be built on five new sites selected due to their great potential: Tangier 2 (150 MW) and Koudia in Tetouan (300 MW), Taza (150 MW), Tiskrad in Laayoune (300 MW) and Boujdour.

The first wind farm with a capacity of 1,000 MW in the country will be completed by 2014 and the total program ready by 2020. Once completed, these farms will produce 26 percent of the country's power output.

"The new energy strategy fits into the framework of HM Mohammed VI's comprehensive and integrated vision of sustainable development," said Amina Benkhadra, the Moroccan Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, adding that renewable energies will occupy a prominent place to meet Morocco's growing demand, as well as to preserve the environment and reduce the country's energy dependency from abroad.

The production of wind farms in Morocco will produce great economic benefits and regional development. The implementation of this vast project will enable Morocco to reduce energy imports and save annually 2.5 million tons of oil equivalent fuel, avoiding the emission of nearly 9 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Benkhadra said plants operating on renewable energy would account for 42 percent of the total installed generating capacity by 2020.

Ali Fassi Fihri, Director General of the National Electricity Office, said that the emphasis of location for farms had been in the north and east of the country, which enjoy a great potential in wind flow.

Morocco has a strategic position in the heart of an energy hub, and seeks to become an important platform for the exchange of power in the Mediterranean due to its cooperation with Spain and Algeria.

The country is involved in regional projects, such as the Mediterranean Solar Plan Desertec initiative and promotes synergy in the development of solar and wind energy in the Mediterranean region.

 "We have the capacity to mount major projects, such as the Tangier Med port and power plants," said Fassi Fihri.

Further, Benkhadra emphasizes, "The world is undergoing profound changes and from this will emerge a new order which will be a productive historic break with the current patterns of production and consumption, that are more sustainable in economic, social and environmental contexts. As part of these changes, clean and sustainable renewable energy is developing at an accelerated pace to meet the requirements of long-term security of energy supply, that gradually takes over from fossil fuels and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases in the fight against global warming."

The wind parks of Morocco have confirmed its position as the vanguard of the most advanced countries in the field of renewable energy across Africa and the Mediterranean. The 2020 wind power project is fundamental to the economic and social development of the country's north, including the city of Tangier, and strengthens its international status and its role as a crossroads city between two continents, Europe and Africa.

Wind Power Morocco Conference

> April 18-19, 2012 Casablanca

A key opportunity for the Moroccan wind industry to meet. The program will showcase international developer and utility case studies complimented by speakers from key sources of project finance, manufacturers, law firms and technical experts -  www.greenpowerconferences.co.uk

(Reporting from Morocco)