EDF to enter Moroccan wind energy market with plans for 150MW wind farm

EDF and Mitsui move on Morocco wind energy. The North African state is said to have plans for at least 2GW of wind power and 2GW of solar energy programmes by 2020. EDF, Mitsui selected for 150-MW Wind Farm. Alstom wind turbines.

Located in northern Morocco, to the East of Fes, the Taza wind power project will be equipped with 50 wind turbines made by Alstom of 3 Megawatts each.

A consortium led by French state-controlled power utility Electricite de France SA, in association with Japan-based Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (8031.TO), has been selected as preferred bidder by the Moroccan national electricity office for the Taza wind power project, which has a capacity of 150 MegaWatts, EDF said Monday.

MAIN FACTS:

– Located in northern Morocco, to the East of Fes, the Taza wind power project will be equipped with 50 wind turbines made by Alstom SA of 3 MegaWatts each.

– This new 150MW project launched by Morocco in May 2011 under a public-private partnership scheme will be followed in 2012 by an additional 850MW tender process whose procedure of pre-qualification is in progress.

– Keen to leverage on its extremely good sun and wind conditions, authorities in Morocco are planning to develop at least 2GW wind energy and 2GW solar energy programs by 2020.

– EDF didn’t release any financial detail on the wind energy project.

By José Santamarta, www.4-traders.com