Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power has confirmed final orders for its 120MW Khalladi wind project in Morocco.

Acwa Power Khalladi, the project power company in which Acwa holds the majority 75 per cent stake, says it has confirmed final orders from suppliers and contractors for the wind project at Jbel Sendouq, Khalladi, in the northern part of Morocco.

MEED reported in December that the Acwa Power-led consortium had been awarded the contract to develop the Jbel Sendouq wind farm project. The developer achieved financial close for the scheme on 27 November.

The 120MW wind independent power project (IPP) has been structured as a long-term limited recourse project financing, which will be funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) together with the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Banque Marocaine du Commerce Exterieur (BMCE).

The IPP will be the first renewable energy project Acwa Power has developed where private power producers can sell electricity directly to high-voltage clients, such as industrial companies. About 85 per cent of the power generated by the wind farm will be sold directly to three industrial customers through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), with the remainder sold through short-term PPAs. Any remaining power will be sold to the Office National de l’Electricite et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE).

Denmark’s Vestas will supply wind turbines for the project, and will provide operation and maintenance services for the plant’s first 5 years of operation. Operation after this date will be undertaken by Nomac, an Acwa Power subsidiary.