GDF Suez in partnership with Moroccan energy firm Nareva has begun the commercial operations of its 301-MW wind park in Morocco.
The project, the largest in Africa has been built by Tarfaya Energy Company (TAREC), a 50:50 joint venture between both partners at a total cost of EUR 450 million (USD 560m).
Construction of the plant was initiated in early 2013 and phased commercial operation commenced in tranches of 50 MW in June 2014. The wind farm will be operated by TAREC.
The plant can generate enough electricity needed to power nearly 1.5 million homes in the region, nullifying 900,000 tons of carbon emission annually.
The wind farm located in southwestern Morocco uses 131 turbines of 2.3 MW each, manufactured by Siemens.
Under a 20 year contract, Moroccan state utility Office National de l’Electricite et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE) will purchase the generated electricity.
The plant contributes 15 percent of the 2,000-MW target Morocco has set for wind energy development.
By 2020, the country aims to produce 42 percent of its total energy from renewables by 2020.
GDF owns shares in four power plants in Africa such as 94-MW West Coast 1 wind farm, 970 MW Avon, 335 MW Dedisa peaking plants in South Africa and the 2×693 MW Safi thermal project in Morocco. GDF SUEZ has 3,907 MW wind generation capacity worldwide.
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In Africa, energy crisis is mostly affecting people living in Sub-Saharan region or Non-OECD Asia. According to a report from Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), more than 95 percent of the people without access to modern energy services are living in these regions. Most of Africa’s energy generating plants rely on imported coal or diesel, putting tremendous pressure on the country’s economy. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar gain relevance in such economies.
The geography of Africa, especially in the coastal areas and eastern highlands is favourable for wind energy generation, but most commercial scale wind power has been developed in the north of Africa. Africa has the potential to emerge as the largest single market for wind power in the foreseeable future, says GWEC.
Sabeena Wahid
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