The 120 MW Khalladi wind power plant in Morocco started injecting its first kWh into the high voltage network.
The wind farm, developed by ACWA Power Khalladi in collaboration with ARIF investment fund, and located at Jbel Sendouq, 30 km from Tangiers, represents an investment of MAD 1.7 billion dirhams.
The Khalladi wind power plant is the first ACWA Power project to be developed within the framework of the Law 13-09 on renewable energies. The law encourages the development of renewable sources in order to promote energy security and access, sustainable development, and integration of Morocco’s renewable energy production with other markets. ACWA Power Khalladi is the second private company to succeed the launching of a large wind farm within the framework of this law.
The project was financed under a long-term debt, mainly with the contribution of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in collaboration with the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and the Moroccan BMCE Bank of Africa. This is the first renewable energy project to be financed by the EBRD in Morocco, based only on contractual funding without any financial support.
The plant will produce around 380 GWh annually, directly powering major industrial customers connected to the high voltage network. Power generation at the wind farm will be equivalent to the yearly average consumption of a city of 400,000 people. The plant consists of 40 wind turbines of 3 MW each. Each turbine is installed on a tower of 80 meters and equipped with 3 blades of 45 meters. The first turbines start power supply immediately. Over the next four months, additional turbines will become operational until full capacity of 120MW is met.
The wind turbines were constructed by the equipment manufacturer Vestas, which will also be in charge of the production and the maintenance.
Paddy Padmanathan, President & CEO of ACWA Power said: “This significant achievement in the deployment of wind energy through the Khalladi IPP is testament to ACWA Powers commitment to creating value for communities in Morocco and elsewhere. Today marks an auspicious moment for the company as we seek to expand our presence in Morocco through the successful operation of our power plants – working with governments and organisations alike to secure energy access and sustainable growth of the economy.”
Badis Derradji, Regional Managing Director, ACWA Power also commented on the occasion saying: “We are proud to play a role in realising the Kingdom of Morocco’s’ ambitions to develop its renewable energy capacity while supporting the thriving industrial sector of the country. The project being delivered on schedule and within allocated budget showcases ACWA Powers position as partner of choice for the reliable provision of electricity and water.”
Abdellatif Nasserdine, Managing Director of Infra Invest, the fund manager of ARIF, stated that « the connection of the first turbines of Khalladi wind farm to the electricity national grid, and the start of green energy supply to our clients, confirms the success of a long development process to which Infra Invest actively contributed. »
ACWA Power Khalladi is 75% owned by ACWA Power and 25% owned by ARIF (Argan Infrastructure Fund managed by Infra Invest).