Morocco’s 990 MW El Wahda Gas Power Plant Reaches Key Construction Milestone

Morocco’s 990 MW El Wahda gas-fired power plant has reached an important construction milestone, highlighting both the country’s expanding power infrastructure and the growing role of Chinese EPC contractors in major Moroccan energy projects.

At the project site in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, a 9.3-meter-long steel column weighing 5.6 tonnes was successfully lifted and installed, officially marking the beginning of steel structure installation for the plant’s overhead crane system.

The milestone signals the project’s gradual transition from major civil works toward the equipment installation phase.

A 990 MW Strategic Power Project

The EPC contract for the El Wahda project is being executed by China Energy Engineering Southwest Institute, with the first steel column successfully lifted on August 4, 2026.

The power plant will consist of two 495 MW open-cycle gas turbine units, bringing total installed capacity to 990 MW.

This represents approximately 7% of Morocco’s total national electricity generation capacity, underlining the strategic importance of the project for the country’s power system.

Total investment is estimated at approximately MAD 4.15 billion (around USD 420 million), with commercial operation targeted for August 2027.

The project is being developed by Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE).

Mitsubishi Power H-Class Gas Turbines

At the heart of the project are two M701JAC gas turbines supplied by Mitsubishi Power.

These H-class turbines offer high efficiency and operational flexibility and are compatible with hydrogen blending, potentially allowing the plant to progressively reduce its carbon intensity as lower-carbon fuels become more widely available.

The units will primarily operate using natural gas, while diesel will serve as a backup fuel.

The project’s location is also strategically important due to its proximity to Morocco’s gas import infrastructure connected to Spain.

Supporting Morocco’s Renewable Energy Expansion

The El Wahda plant is particularly important in the context of Morocco’s rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.

Gas turbines can start, stop and adjust their output relatively quickly. This makes the plant a flexible source of electricity capable of helping balance fluctuations from intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar.

This flexibility will become increasingly important as Morocco works toward its objective of reaching 52% renewable energy in installed electricity capacity by 2030.

Rather than competing directly with renewable energy, flexible gas-fired generation can therefore play a supporting role in maintaining grid stability during Morocco’s energy transition.

Construction Progresses According to Schedule

The project has achieved several important milestones:

• November 23, 2025: foundation slab for Unit 1 turbine completed.

• March 2026: concrete works for the generator platform completed.

• June 2026: high-level discussions between the project parties to finalize contract implementation arrangements.

• August 4, 2026: first steel column for the overhead crane structure successfully installed.

The latest milestone marks the project's entry into a critical stage involving structural assembly and equipment installation.

A Major Reference Project for Chinese EPC Contractors in North Africa

The El Wahda project also carries significant strategic importance for the Chinese engineering industry.

It represents the first major North African reference for China Energy Engineering Southwest Institute as an EPC contractor for an H-class gas turbine power plant.

Historically, large H-class gas turbine EPC projects in North Africa have largely involved European, American and Japanese engineering and technology companies.

Through cooperation between China Energy Engineering Southwest Institute, China Energy Engineering International Group and Tianjin Electric Power Construction, Chinese companies are taking on a more comprehensive role as main EPC contractors rather than primarily participating as subcontractors.

The project could therefore become an important reference for Chinese engineering companies seeking further opportunities across Africa’s power and energy infrastructure markets.

New Opportunities Across the Chinese Industrial Supply Chain

The impact extends beyond the main EPC contract.

Procurement requirements for auxiliary systems, instrumentation, electrical equipment and other components could create additional export opportunities for Chinese industrial suppliers.

This illustrates a broader trend in China-Morocco economic cooperation: major infrastructure projects can serve as entry points for entire industrial supply chains, bringing engineering companies, equipment manufacturers and specialized service providers into the Moroccan market.

SinoLink Insight

El Wahda demonstrates how Morocco’s energy transition and China’s international engineering capabilities are increasingly intersecting.

Morocco requires flexible generation capacity to support the continued expansion of renewable energy, while Chinese EPC groups are looking to move further up the value chain in international infrastructure projects.

For Chinese companies, opportunities in Morocco therefore extend well beyond headline investments. Major energy and industrial projects generate demand for equipment suppliers, construction companies, engineering services, logistics, local subcontractors, recruitment, accommodation and operational support.

SinoLink Solutions supports Chinese companies entering and operating in Morocco, from market entry and company establishment to local sourcing, project support, government coordination and ongoing operations.

From China to Morocco, we turn investment plans into successful operations.