Offshore wind potential for electrifying Moroccan fishing villages
A study published in "Energy Reports" by a team from Hassan II University of Casablanca suggests that a single 300 kW offshore wind turbine could power up to twelve fishing villages in Morocco. The research, which cross-references four years of satellite data with a decentralized electrification scenario for the Moroccan coast, indicates that a turbine off Dakhla could produce approximately 1,183 MWh annually. Similar turbines could power eleven villages in Tarfaya 1,104 MWh, nine to ten in Essaouira 998 MWh, and eight in Tangier 841 MWh. These estimates are based on capacity factors ranging from 32% in Tangier to 45% in Dakhla. The study addresses the lack of reliable electricity access in many Moroccan coastal villages, particularly those reliant on artisanal fishing, despite the country's extensive 3,500 km coastline. Researchers propose a decentralized electrification model using a prototype 300 kW turbine placed close to local demand, rather than large-scale wind farms connected to the national grid. The analysis utilized satellite data from the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service CMEMS from 2020 to 2023, covering nine coastal sites. Wind power density mapping revealed a clear hierarchy, with the southern Atlantic coast, particularly Dakhla, Tarfaya, and Essaouira, showing the most robust and stable wind potential. The study notes that wind peaks often coincide with peak electricity demand, potentially reducing the need for storage. While acknowledging limit