Morocco has just crossed a major milestone in its energy transition. On June 10 in Nice, on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Day of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Kingdom announced the launch of an ambitious offshore wind farm of 1,000 megawatts off the coast of Essaouira, with commissioning expected by 2029.
This unprecedented project is part of the national strategy aimed at increasing the share of renewable energies to over 52% of the electricity mix by 2030. It is the country’s very first offshore wind farm and one of the flagship projects supported by the newly established Mediterranean Blue Partnership (MBP), a multi-donor fund dedicated to developing a sustainable blue economy in the southern Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
An industrial and territorial dynamic
In addition to its ecological benefits, the project promises a strong local economic impact. The construction phase is expected to generate several thousand direct and indirect jobs, boosting sectors such as shipbuilding, port logistics, and industrial maintenance. In the long term, it will help reduce Morocco’s energy dependence, stabilize electricity costs, and enhance the competitiveness of businesses.
The initiative also opens up prospects for exporting green electricity to Europe, at a time when the continent is intensifying its energy transition. Essaouira could thus become a strategic hub for Euro-Mediterranean energy exchanges.
Strengthened regional leadership
Morocco thus confirms its position as a central player in the blue economy in the Mediterranean, following its previous successes in renewables, such as the Noor solar complex in Ouarzazate or the onshore wind farms in the South. This trajectory strengthens its climate diplomacy and attractiveness to international donors, particularly within the framework of the European Green Deal.
With stable governance and a clear vision for sustainable development, the Kingdom now stands as a reference among Southern countries. It benefits from easier access to green financing, as evidenced by Spain’s recent commitment of 8.5 million euros to the MBP. The fund now totals 22 million euros, with contributions also coming from France, Germany, Sweden, and the European Union.
A shared regional ambition
Among the three projects supported in this first phase, the Essaouira park is alongside a coral restoration initiative in Jordan and the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Egypt. Together, they demonstrate that a model of sustainable, inclusive, and cooperative development is possible in the region, combining innovation, political will, and appropriate financing mechanisms.
As an active member of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Morocco fully participates in major efforts for decarbonization, marine biodiversity protection, sustainable tourism, and blue growth.
With over 500 million euros mobilized for 250 projects since 2015, the blue economy is emerging as a major lever for regional cooperation. The Essaouira wind farm, due to its scale and symbolic significance, embodies this shared ambition for a greener, more integrated, and resilient Mediterranean.