Vestas has signed a firm and unconditional order with Acwa Power to supply 40 units of the V90-3.0 MW wind turbine model for the 120 MW Khalladi wind park, which will be located in the Tangiers region of northern Morocco.
With more than 900 MW already installed or under construction in Africa, this order adds to the company’s growing presence in the region.
According to Vestas, the contract comprises the supply of the turbines and a 20-year active output management 4000 service agreement to guarantee the optimal performance of the wind park.
Vestas says the Khalladi wind park will be the first renewable energy project financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Morocco that allows private producers to sell electricity through power purchase agreements to industrial off-takers. In addition, the project will be co-financed by the Moroccan bank BMCE and Argan Infrastructure Fund, an Africa-focused infrastructure fund managed by Infra Invest.
Turbine delivery is planned for the second quarter of 2017, while commissioning is expected for the fourth quarter of 2017.
“Being Vestas’ first order in Morocco since 2000, this project represents a big step forward for us, as we continue to work hard to build a stronger presence in the country and contribute to the development of the growing Moroccan wind industry,” says president of Vestas Mediterranean, Marco Graziano.
Vestas says it has recently established a local presence in Casablanca as part of the Moroccan Integrated Energy Project, which envisages increasing the share of wind power in the national energy mix to around 20% by 2020.
