Offshore Wind: Ramboll Prepares Morocco’s First Wind Farm in Essaouira

Morocco is taking a significant step forward in the development of offshore wind energy. The Danish engineering and consulting group Ramboll has been selected to assist in the preparation of the kingdom’s first offshore wind farm, a project planned off the coast of Essaouira with a capacity of up to 1 gigawatt.

Ramboll’s mission, which comes ahead of the project’s implementation, focuses on technical and economic feasibility studies, complementary studies, as well as environmental and social impact assessments.

The project is being led by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (Masen), with support from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. The National Office for Electricity and Drinkable Water (ONEE) will be responsible for addressing the connection of the future installation to the national power grid.

A 1 GW Offshore Wind Farm off Essaouira

The upcoming Essaouira wind farm marks Morocco’s first large-scale project in offshore wind energy. According to available information, construction could begin as early as 2029.

The choice of the Essaouira region is primarily due to the favorable natural conditions of the Atlantic coast. Preliminary studies highlight significant wind speeds as well as areas with depths compatible for installing offshore wind turbines with fixed foundations.

The proposed technical architecture includes underwater cables connecting the various wind turbines, with voltage levels reaching up to 66 kilovolts, along with conversion stations installed onshore.

Ramboll’s Role Follows a Study Funded by the EIB

The preparations for the project began several years ago. In September 2022, the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a cooperation agreement with Masen, providing a grant of 2 million euros to finance a feasibility study for offshore wind in Morocco.

The initial goal was to assess the potential of the Atlantic coast and explore the feasibility of developing a pilot project. Since then, the program has expanded significantly, with a project now envisioned at a scale of 1 GW.

The EIB had launched a selection process for a consultant to assist Masen in various required studies. The contract, valued at 2 million euros, aimed to cover the feasibility study, several complementary analyses, as well as an environmental and social impact study.

Essaouira at the Heart of Morocco’s Renewable Energy Strategy

The project has also gained international recognition. In June 2025, during the United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, the Union for the Mediterranean presented the Essaouira wind farm among the first projects supported under the Blue Partnership for the Mediterranean.

This mechanism aims to mobilize financing for feasibility studies and technical assistance necessary for projects related to the blue economy and energy transition.

The partnership receives support from various European countries as well as the European Union. A Spanish contribution of 8.5 million euros was notably announced during the Nice conference.

Morocco’s Offshore Potential Estimated at 200 GW

Beyond the Essaouira project, the prospects for offshore wind in Morocco appear vast. A study by the World Bank published in 2020 and referenced by data from the German agency GTAI estimates the technically exploitable potential of the Moroccan coastline at nearly 200 GW.

Of this potential, about 22 GW could be developed using offshore wind turbines with fixed foundations. A large portion of the remaining potential would require floating technologies suitable for areas with greater marine depths.

These resources could contribute to Morocco’s goal of achieving 52% renewable sources in its installed electrical capacity by 2030.

The Electrical Grid Must Accompany New Capacities

The development of offshore wind will also require adjustments to electrical infrastructures. Connecting several hundred megawatts of capacity will entail strengthening transportation networks and conversion equipment.

In this context, the EIB and the German bank KfW announced in May 2025 new financing of 300 million euros aimed at supporting the electrical infrastructures of ONEE. The EIB is expected to contribute 170 million euros.

These investments are designed to facilitate the gradual integration of new renewable capacities into Morocco’s electrical system.

Ramboll: A Global Specialist in Offshore Wind

The choice of Ramboll reflects the international expertise of the Danish group in the offshore wind sector. The company claims to have over thirty years of experience in wind energy and has worked on projects in more than 70 countries.

Ramboll also asserts participation in over 60% of the offshore wind farms currently operational worldwide and states that it has designed the foundations for a significant portion of the offshore wind turbines installed.

The preparation of the Moroccan project could thus serve as a first step towards the emergence of a new industrial chain centered around offshore wind in Morocco.

Ultimately, the construction of the Essaouira wind farm could engage multiple sectors, ranging from manufacturing equipment and components to building foundations, laying underwater cables, maintenance, and port services.

With an estimated potential of nearly 200 GW and a primary project of 1 GW now in preparation, Morocco aims to position offshore wind as one of the pillars of its energy strategy.