CEEC Inspects Its Energy and Railway Projects in Morocco

China Energy Engineering Corporation Conducts Inspection of Key Projects in Morocco

The Chinese public group, China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), carried out an inspection mission from October 13 to 18, 2026, at its two major sites in Morocco: the Al Wahda gas power plant, with a capacity of 990 megawatts, and Lot 9 of the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line (LGV). The operation aimed to ensure compliance with activities, project management, and adherence to contractual commitments, set against the backdrop of the strategic importance of energy and rail investments in the Kingdom.

A Mission Focused on Compliance and Risk Management

The delegation was led by Zhao Jianchang, secretary of the CEEC disciplinary inspection committee and a member of the standing committee of the Communist Party of China within the group. According to the company’s statement, the inspections focused on internal procedures, risk management, integrity practices in international activities, and the implementation of corrective measures decided by management.

This mission involved representatives from the Party committee’s inspection services, the disciplinary commission, the international affairs department, and CEEC’s international branch.

During the visits to both Moroccan sites, Zhao Jianchang assessed compliance with contracts, management methods, and commercial prospects. He urged officials to balance deadline compliance with work safety, service quality, and strict adherence to integrity rules.

This initiative is part of a policy to monitor the group’s international activities, aiming to enhance compliance with operations and mitigate risks associated with contract execution abroad.

Al Wahda Power Plant: A 990 MW Energy Project

Located near the Al Wahda dam in the Ouazzane region, the Al Wahda gas power plant is one of the primary energy projects entrusted to CEEC in Morocco. The Chinese group is constructing the plant on behalf of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) in partnership with the Japanese builder Mitsubishi Power.

The contract encompasses studies, equipment supply, construction, and commissioning of the facility. The project also includes a 400-kilovolt electrical substation designed to connect to the network.

The main equipment consists of two M701JAC gas turbines supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, each with a reported capacity of 495 megawatts, paired with alternators from Mitsubishi Generator. Operating in a simple cycle, these machines are designed to quickly reach their production capacity and help accommodate fluctuations in electricity demand.

Mitsubishi has also designed these turbines to operate with a mix of natural gas and hydrogen. This feature opens up opportunities for future evolution towards lower-carbon fuels, contingent on necessary technical conditions and supplies.

When the contract was announced, Mitsubishi indicated that the power plant’s capacity would represent about 7% of the Moroccan electrical grid capacity referenced at that time. Commissioning was initially scheduled for 2027. The Japanese group also signed a long-term maintenance agreement with ONEE for the supplied equipment.

Key Milestones Achieved at the Energy Site

Technical publications from the Chinese subsidiaries overseeing the construction document several advances made at the Al Wahda site.

On November 23, 2025, teams completed the foundation slab of the first turbine after nineteen hours of pouring, with a volume of 1,875 cubic meters. The foundation slab for the second turbine was completed on January 10, 2026, after fifteen hours of work, with 1,759 cubic meters of concrete poured.

On August 4, 2026, workers installed the first metallic column of the framework intended for lifting equipment. These operations illustrate the progress of civil engineering work and the preparations for the structures necessary for the installation of industrial equipment.

The October inspection thus occurs at a critical phase of the project, where coordinating work, ensuring safety requirements, and meeting deadlines remain essential for preparing for the future commissioning.

Kenitra-Marrakech LGV: Six Bridges in Lot 9

The second site visited by the Chinese delegation pertains to Lot 9 of the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line. This contract was awarded on November 22, 2024, to China Gezhouba Group, a CEEC subsidiary specializing in public works.

The contract involves a 6.23-kilometer stretch between Rabat and Casablanca, including the construction of six bridges, within a thirty-three-month contractual duration. The work must comply with both French and Moroccan technical standards.

This lot is part of a 430-kilometer rail program designed to enable operational speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour. When the contract was awarded, CEEC presented this project as its first high-speed rail construction operation abroad.

This project represents a significant milestone for the Chinese group in the international rail market while contributing to the development of transportation infrastructure in Morocco.

The Nfifikh Bridge: A Major Technical Challenge

Among the structures in Lot 9, the Nfifikh Bridge poses some of the main technical challenges of the project. Stretching 810 meters, it must cross a valley with elevations exceeding 71 meters.

According to China Gezhouba, some columns reach a height of 51 meters, while the main span measures 70 meters. The terrain configuration and geological characteristics impose strict requirements regarding foundations, structural stability, and quality control.

On June 19, 2026, teams poured the first foundation footing after fifteen hours of continuous work. By that date, thirteen footings remained to be completed, according to information published by the company.

The project necessitates monitoring the temperature of the concrete, geometric inspections of the reinforcements, and close coordination between the Chinese teams, the National Office of Railways (ONCF) as the project owner, and the French project management team.

These technical constraints explain the emphasis on adherence to procedures, safety, and risk management during the CEEC inspection.

Enhanced Monitoring of Moroccan Projects

The October mission is not CEEC’s first oversight visit to these two projects. From May 20 to 29, 2026, Yin Qiang, the group’s vice president in charge of safety, had already inspected the Al Wahda plant and Lot 9 of the LGV.

This prior visit focused on technical risks, management procedures, and adherence to commitments made to the project owners.

The repetition of these missions underscores the importance the Chinese group places on its Moroccan projects, which span across two strategic sectors: electricity production and high-speed rail infrastructure.

For CEEC, the goal now is to continue executing these contracts while ensuring safety, quality, and compliance standards are met, all while managing deadlines and operational risks. For Morocco, these projects contribute to the enhancement of energy capacity and the modernization of the rail transportation network.