By Kari Williamson
Both wind farms are expected to commence commercial operation by summer 2013.
"These two orders mark Siemens Wind Power´s entry on the African wind market and clearly show that our internationalisation strategy is successful," says Felix Ferlemann, CEO of the Siemens Wind Power Division.
The Haouma Wind Farm project will be built in Northern Morocco, approximately 30 km east of Tangier, and 6 km south of the Mediterranean coast. At 50 MW, Haouma will feature 22 Siemens SWT-2.3-93 wind turbines.
Foum El Oued will be built in one of the windiest areas of Morocco in the municipality of Laâyoune, 9 km south east of the port of Laâyoune in Southern Morocco. Also at 50 MW, Foum El Oued will feature 22 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines.
According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), wind power is one of the most promising sectors for renewable energy generation in Morocco. Furthermore, the Moroccan Government has set the target of raising the contribution of renewable energy to 20% of national electricity consumption by 2020.