According to a joint statement, this financing was formalized during a high-level visit by Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice-President of the EIB; Christiane Laibach, board member of KfW; and Daniel Duto, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, to the Jbel Lahdid wind farm (270 MW), developed by ONEE in the province of Essaouira.
The financing aims to improve the integration of renewable energy by reinforcing Morocco’s electricity network, as part of a strategic cooperation to support the country’s energy transition.
Structured and led by the EIB (€170 million), with the KfW contributing €130 million on behalf of the German government, this funding will allow ONEE to undertake a series of investments to modernize and expand the national electricity transmission network over 731 kilometers, increasing its transfer capacity by 1,850 MVA.
The goal is to ease the integration of new renewable energy capacities into the national grid and support ONEE in its role as system operator, in alignment with Morocco’s energy and climate ambitions.
These investments will help improve supply security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 390,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year by 2030, and foster regional economic growth, while enhancing the grid’s resilience against rising demand and climate risks.
This financing is part of ONEE’s ambitious roadmap as a central actor in Morocco’s energy transition. The office has launched a 220 billion dirham investment plan by 2030, including 177 billion dirhams for the electricity sector, with a goal of increasing the share of renewables to 56% by the end of 2027.
Major projects include the development of 12.5 GW of additional renewable capacity, strengthening the transmission network over more than 700 km, and the implementation of a 3,000 MW “electric highway” spanning 1,400 km between the south and center of the country. These efforts enhance Morocco’s energy security, support decarbonization, and position the country as a regional model for sustainable energy.
The Jbel Lahdid wind farm, commissioned in October 2024, is the fourth project of the 1,000 MW integrated wind program. It was co-financed by two €200 million loans from the EIB and KfW, and a €15 million grant from the EU.
With a capacity of 270 MW, the wind farm is expected to generate around 952 GWh of green electricity annually, enough to meet the yearly consumption of 1.2 million people, showcasing the tangible impact of European cooperation in achieving Morocco’s climate commitments.
This initiative highlights the “Team Europe” approach to mobilize financial and technical resources in line with partner priorities, fully aligned with the EU-Morocco Green Partnership, the European Green Deal, and Morocco’s energy ambitions. The EIB loan also benefits from an EU-backed guarantee mechanism, improving financing conditions and project impact.
In parallel, the EIB and KfW signed a reinforced cooperation agreement under the Mutual Recognition Initiative (MRI), assigning the EIB the lead role in project oversight. This mechanism aims to streamline procedures for Moroccan authorities and ensure faster, more coordinated, and effective execution of co-financed projects.
This role builds on a long-standing, trust-based relationship between the EIB and ONEE, with 23 co-financed projects to date, demonstrating a shared commitment to a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy system.
In this regard, Mr. Tsakiris stated that the Jbel Lahdid plant exemplifies the strength of the partnership between Morocco and European institutions in the energy transition. He noted:
“With this new €170 million support, we are helping expand the national grid—an essential lever to connect green energy production to transmission infrastructure, serving sustainable energy transition and national development.”
He added that the EIB, in leading the MRI initiative, draws on three decades of cooperation with ONEE to offer a more efficient and coordinated partnership model, affirming:
“This is a concrete example of the +Team Europe+ approach in action for our partners.”
For her part, EU Ambassador Patricia Llombart Cussac said:
“This program is further proof of the tangible achievements of our EU–Morocco Green Partnership and of Team Europe’s ongoing commitment to funding key infrastructure for Morocco’s energy transition.”
German Ambassador Robert Dölger emphasized that Germany and Morocco have built a solid and reliable energy partnership, which serves as a model for international cooperation in climate and sustainable development.
He stated:
“This joint financing marks a major milestone in achieving our ambitious climate goals. Together, we’re turning a shared political vision into concrete actions—through joint investments in solar, wind, and grid development.”
With this agreement, Germany now contributes more than €3 billion to Morocco’s energy transition and climate resilience. This collaboration enhances shared responsibility and paves the way for a greener, more resilient future.
Christiane Laibach, KfW board member, said the €130 million renewable energy integration program is a key step in KfW’s continuous commitment to Morocco’s energy transition. She emphasized support for building a robust, digital electricity grid, toward a future where most power comes from renewables.
She added that reliable, long-term partnerships, like the one with Morocco and ONEE, are crucial to a successful green economic transition, and noted that KfW supports Morocco’s contribution to global climate protection while creating opportunities for German and European industries.
ONEE Director General Tarik Hamane emphasized:
“Under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is resolutely pursuing its energy transition toward a sustainable and inclusive model.”
He said this new €300 million financing, mobilized by the EIB, KfW, and EU, reflects the strength of Morocco’s strategic partnerships and the confidence in ONEE.
He added that this support will accelerate the modernization and reinforcement of the national grid, facilitating the integration of new renewable capacities. With an installed capacity of 12 GW, over 45% of which comes from renewables, and a transmission network spanning more than 30,000 km, ONEE is fully committed to achieving Morocco’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
He welcomed the fact that these advances bolster Morocco’s position as a key energy hub between Africa and Europe, and as a regional and continental leader in energy transition, actively contributing to energy security, economic decarbonization, and sustainable development.
It is worth recalling that in October 2022, the EU and Morocco signed a historic Green Partnership aimed at promoting sustainable production and consumption. This agreement strengthens cooperation in sustainability-related public policy, with support for Morocco’s reforms in renewable and new energy sectors.
On the sidelines of COP28 in December 2023 in the UAE, Morocco and the EU launched the “Green Energy” program to accelerate climate action and Morocco’s energy transition. The program supports energy system decarbonization through reforms that include electricity market liberalization, support for self-production, and greater alignment with the European market.