• An investment amounting to 1.1 billion dirhams.
• 700 direct and 500 indirect jobs to be created.
• The first wind turbine blades in Africa and the Middle East that are 100% "Made in Morocco".

On 11 October 2017 the German group Siemens Gamesa officially opened a new plant manufacturing wind turbine blades at an event presided over by Mr Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy and Mr Markus Tacke, CEO of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

Located in the Tangier Automotive City free zone and covering 37,500 square metres, the project represents an investment of 1.1 billion dirhams and will create 700 direct and 500 indirect jobs.

The manufacturing of 63 meters long wind turbine blades introduces in Morocco "Integral Blade”, a technology developed by Siemens. This process allows the manufacture of single-piece wind turbine while increasing their rigidity and durability.

“The first wind turbine blades in Africa and the Middle East will be made in Tangier, which is a source of pride for the Kingdom”, said Minister Elalamy. “This pioneer project creates value locally and announces the development of an ecosystem “renewable energies industry' which confirms the strategic choices of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, aiming at the development of a green economy”.

For his part, Markus Tacke, CEO of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, said: "We invest where we see strong business opportunities, and the opportunities here in Morocco are stronger than ever before. This location in Tangier provides us with direct access to some of the most important markets of tomorrow – here in Morocco, throughout the Middle East, in Europe, and in the Mediterranean Region.”

The factory is equipped with an adaptive production tool, which will cater for the future needs of the global wind power market. As it can be adjusted in the future to enable the production of longer blades.

A 3,500 m 2 training centre was built by Siemens Gamesa in Tangier to facilitate the transfer of all technical skills and processes necessary for the manufacturing of wind turbine blades.

“We are proud to carry out such an exciting project which will stimulate the renewable energy sector in Morocco and abroad and which will have a lasting and significant impact on the country. We were given the chance to tap into a highly qualified and motivated workforce with an amazing attitude and momentum”, underlined Ralph Sperrazza, plant manager in Tangier.

With an installed worldwide capacity of 75 GW, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is present in more than 90 countries with 27,000 employees. The company is involved from end to end of the value chain including design, manufacture, installation of terrestrial and offshore wind turbines as well as state-of-the-art solution services.