On Wednesday, 12 February, it will provide two M701JAC gas turbines and auxiliary equipment for the Al Wahda Open Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant, which is owned and operated by Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE).
The Al Wahda Power Plant is situated near the Al Wahda Dam in Morocco's Ouazzane Province, northern Morocco, as stated in a press release from Mitsubishi Power. Once operational, the plant's turbines are anticipated to produce a total of 990 MW, which would cover about 7% of Morocco's national power grid.
The official signing ceremony was held in Rabat at ONEE's headquarters. The event was attended by ONEE's CEO, Tarik Hamane, Mitsubishi Power EMEA's President and CEO, Javier Cavada, and MENA's President, Khalid Salem. In addition, a senior delegation from China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited (CEEC), the project's consortium partner, was also in attendance.
Mitsubishi Power's M701JAC gas turbines are recognized for their capacity to co-burn hydrogen with natural gas, providing industry-leading reliability and efficiency. These features are in line with Morocco's long-term sustainability objectives by offering flexibility for future de-carbonization efforts, as stated in the press release.
The Al Wahda Power Plant is intended to run with maximum reliability, providing constant power output to meet Morocco's increasing energy needs. The plant will aid the country in its goal of obtaining over 52% of renewable energy in its electricity supply by 2030.
Mitsubishi Power's advanced turbines are designed to handle rapid load changes and frequent start-ups and shutdowns, thus ensuring grid reliability while maintaining the integrity of the equipment.
It is anticipated that the plant will become operational by 2027. In addition to this agreement, Mitsubishi Power has signed a long-term service contract with ONEE for parts, repairs, and services to ensure the equipment's high availability and reliability.
The Al Wahda Power Plant is a crucial component of our energy strategy," said Tarik Hamane, Chairman of ONEE. "Through our partnership with Mitsubishi Power, we are pleased to leverage the efficiencies and advantages of the company's gas turbine technology to drive operational excellence and sustainability.
"Our cutting-edge M701JAC gas turbines, recognized for their efficiency and reliability, will provide uninterrupted, trustworthy power even in the most challenging situations, smoothly adjusting to the dynamic requirements of the grid. This partnership not only demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative, hydrogen-capable solutions but also represents a significant milestone in supporting Morocco's broader ambition for a sustainable, resilient energy future," said Javier Cavada, President and CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mitsubishi Power.