Offshore wind resource assessment and electrification potential of coastal fishing villages in Morocco

The assessment of wind potential in Morocco is crucial for the transition to renewable energy. This study focuses on wind currents along the Moroccan coast, particularly in coastal areas suitable for wind energy installations to supply electricity to fishing villages. Many of these villages currently lack access to electricity. To address this, we propose exploiting wind energy at high-potential sites. Evaluating wind potential in various Moroccan locations is a fundamental step toward installing infrastructure to provide sufficient electricity for village autonomy. Any surplus could be injected into the national grid, contributing to the country’s sustainable development. Morocco’s coastline spans over 3500 km , including 3000 km along the Atlantic and 500 km on the Mediterranean, offering significant wind energy opportunities. Furthermore, the annual energy production of a representative 300 kW offshore wind turbine was estimated, demonstrating that a single turbine could supply multiple fishing villages, highlighting the strong potential for decentralized coastal electrification.