|
|
Article: Power from the winds of Atlas: Morocco does not possess the oil and gas reserves of other North African states but it is finally making the most of the one energy source that it does possess in abundance--wind power potential. Neil Ford reports.(MOROCCO)
- Article from:
- African Business
- Article date:
- December 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Rabat has decided to follow Egypt's lead in encouraging the development of wind farms to complement its stock of thermal power plants. With relatively little hydro potential, the Maghreb nation currently relies on imported gas to provide power sector feedstock, so installing hundreds of turbines should bring benefits in terms of energy security, as well as cutting the gas import bill.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
The Moroccan government has set a target of increasing the share of electricity produced by renewable means from 0.24% in 2004 to 10% by 2011. The state owned Office National de l'Electricite (ONE) has been put in charge of the renewables drive and ...