Favorable winds: Morocco’s massive offshore potential

As the world accelerates its transition to sustainable energy, Morocco stands out as a key player in harnessing offshore wind power. With an extensive Atlantic coastline, political stability, and a forward-thinking energy strategy, the country is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s renewable energy revolution. Morocco’s potential for offshore wind is immense, and well-timed, as global energy markets shift towards cleaner sources. But what sets Morocco apart from other Maghreb and African nations in its ability to exploit this opportunity?

Morocco’s 3,500 kilometers of Atlantic coastline provides a unique geographic advantage, with wind speeds ranging from 8 to 11 meters per second—placing it among the top regions globally for wind resource availability. These favorable conditions can complement Morocco’s existing renewable energy infrastructure, which already includes substantial solar and onshore wind capacity.

The country’s ambitions for offshore wind are backed by a decade-long commitment to renewable energy. Launched in 2009, the Moroccan Solar Plan aims to generate 52% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. While solar has been the flagship of this initiative—epitomized by the Noor solar complex—offshore wind is emerging as the next frontier. Morocco’s proactive regulatory framework and attractive financing terms for international investors make it a favorable environment for large-scale renewable projects, contrasting with other Maghreb nations where political instability and less-developed infrastructure have slowed progress. 

Other African nations have renewable potential, but their focus remains primarily onshore. South Africa leads in onshore wind and solar, but offshore wind development is hindered by an aging grid and reliance on coal. Egypt possesses excellent wind speeds along the Gulf of Suez, but it has prioritized solar and natural gas over offshore wind. Tunisia offers promising wind resources along the Mediterranean coast but faces regulatory hurdles that limit large-scale offshore projects. In contrast, Morocco’s superior offshore wind speeds and strong energy infrastructure, along with its established connections to European markets, position it uniquely to lead in offshore wind development and green energy exports.

Morocco is already connected to Spain via an undersea cable, allowing it to export electricity to Europe. As demand for clean power in Europe rises, Morocco’s capacity to export excess offshore wind energy becomes a strategic asset. The country is also exploring additional interconnections with both Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, further solidifying its role as a renewable energy hub. 

While South Africa, Egypt, and Tunisia all hold significant renewable potential, Morocco’s combination of natural resources, political stability, and investment-friendly policies sets it apart. Offshore wind represents not just an opportunity to meet domestic energy needs, but also a means to reshape its role in the global energy market.

*Lonzo Cook is a journalist and writer. He spent two decades at CNN in a series of senior editorial and management roles including leading breaking news operations across Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. In addition to writing on international affairs, national security and business, he works with media companies and corporations on how to evolve and create content to stay relevant to key audiences.