Small Wind Power (SWP) as a Renewable Energy Source in Morocco

Abstract

This paper has two main objectives: (1) to identify the causes behind the low penetration of SWP in Morocco, and (2) to study the design of a horizontal axis wind turbine for domestic applications in the Moroccan context by following the design requirements of the international standard of small wind turbines IEC 61400-2. The three most relevant barriers in Morocco are found to be in this order: a) the regulatory barrier, b) the technical barrier and, c) the financial and market barriers. Further, a proposed design of a 11 kW SWT power that would be the most in demand helps in identifying clearly the technical barrier. Within the list of components of this typical design, locally manufactured components are limited to the rotor, the main shaft, the nacelle cover and frame as well as the tower and the foundation. The total cost associated to these components is very low compared to the other imported components in the wind turbine assembly. The constraint of designing a 11kW SWT’s economic viability can therefore only be fully satisfied if all components are locally produced.