Morocco has announced its first offshore wind project, a 1000 megawatt project near Essaouira, with construction beginning by 2029. The project’s feasibility studies and technical assistance will be provided by the Blue Mediterranean Partnership (BMP). The partnership has reached €22 million in available funds, thanks in part to an €8.5 million commitment from Spain that joins previous contibutions from Sweden, Germany, France, and the European Union.
“The Mediterranean Sea is not just a body of water—it’s a cradle of civilisation, a hub of biodiversity, and a vital source of livelihood for millions,” said said Spanish Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen. “The Mediterranean Sea shapes our past, present and future history, economy and identity.”
Two other initiatives have been selected for this first phase of funding. In Jordan, a project will restore the Ayla oasis in the Gulf of Aqaba, regenerating a coral ecosystem and implementing a thermal storage system (TES). The coral coverage is expected to increase by 240%, while the TES system is expected to save more than 1.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually.
Also, in Egypt, a wastewater treatment plant in East Alexandria, scheduled to be operational by 2028, will process 300,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily. This facility will benefit 1.5 million people and directly reduce marine pollution.
Since the first ministerial declaration on sustainable Blue Economy in 2015, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has mobilized over €500 million for more than 250 regional projects including maritime clusters, decarbonization, marine biodiversity, blue jobs, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, pollution prevention, and circular economy development.
“Our rich sustainable blue economy community undoubtedly serves as inspiration for other parts of the world,” said UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel. “The UfM has played a pioneering role in establishing and strengthening the political and technical dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy at regional level. The successful Euro-Mediterranean initiatives highlighted today should be celebrated; in the face of geopolitical unrest, sustainable blue economy is a force that unites us, despite our differences. We remain committed to using our position as a platform for the 43 UfM Member States and countless sectoral stakeholders to mobilise further investment in the region, fostering sustainable and equitable development.”
