Taqa Morocco plans 1-Gigawatt wind, solar power projects by 2030

Taqa Morocco plans wind and solar projects generating a combined 1 gigawatts (GW) of electricity by 2030 as part of the North African nation’s ambitious energy transition plans.

The local unit of the UAE-based Abu Dhabi National Energy Company is also looking to invest in desalination projects in Morocco, CEO Abdelmajid Iraqui Houssaini said in an interview. Morocco has faced a record four severe droughts over the past five years, prompting a government-led push to generate more water.

“Significant investment in renewable energies” and the adoption of emission-reduction technology for its coal-fired plants mean 35 per cent to 50 per cent of Taqa Morocco’s capacity may come from renewables by the end of the decade, Houssaini said on the sidelines of the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa forum in Marrakesh.

The company plans 900 megawatts (MW) of wind power and 100MW from solar, he said.

Renewables are making desalination more cost-effective in Morocco, which has “been in a situation of water stress for a while now,” according to the CEO.

“We look to leverage our group expertise and supply chains to be one of the most competitive developers of water,” he said. “Since we are already in renewables it makes sense for the company to go there.”

The company has also committed to reducing its carbon footprint by at least a quarter by 2030, Houssaini said.

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