A US $960,000 Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) grant for the Jbel-Sendoug (Khalladi) Wind Project in Northern Morocco was approved at the end of December 2013 to support outstanding preparation activities to bring the project to bankability. SEFA support will be key to unlocking the equity and debt required for implementation of this private sector-led wind project and realizing significant socioeconomic outcomes from the provision of cleaner, more reliable and affordable electricity.
The wind energy project will be developed near the Mediterranean coast, 15 kilometres east of Tangiers. The project involves the development, financing, construction and operation of a 120-MW wind power facility under an Independent Power Producers scheme authorized through a concession granted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment. The project will see the construction of a 23-km transmission line and a substation to evacuate energy generated by the facility into the interconnected grid.
Following the approval, Alex Rugamba, Director of the African Development Bank’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, noted, “For SEFA, this project is a double win as it involves clean energy production that will in turn spur economic growth. When finished, the Khalladi Wind Energy project will provide more reliable power, fewer power outages and greater scope for private sector growth in the project region. This grant is evidence of the Bank’s continued strong commitment to renewable energy investments in Morocco.”
More information from the African Development Bank available under:
https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/sefa-grant-provides-key-support-for-morocco-wind-project-12737
