Khalladi wind farm – pioneering private wind energy in Morocco

Context

By the end of 2014, ACWA Power appointed Tom Teerlynck to lead the development of its first-ever wind power project—both in Morocco and globally. The project, a 120 MW wind farm in the Rif Mountains near Tangier, aligned with Morocco’s national energy strategy.

Khalladi was more than a first—it was a trailblazer. The project became one of the first privately developed wind farms in Morocco under Law 13-09, a regulatory framework enabling private producers to sell electricity directly to industrial clients via the national grid. While such frameworks are common in deregulated markets, this was a pioneering move in a country where the national utility was not only a system operator but also the de facto regulator—and where private investment in power was still viewed with skepticism.

The project required:

navigation of ambiguous regulations.
creative grid integration.
a bespoke commercial strategy, structuring multiple PPAs with industrial clients, balancing lenders’ bankability requirement and client’s demands for commercial simplicity.
community-sensitive land access, securing over 70 individual land plots, and a demanding environmental and social impact assessment.
a non-turnkey construction model, requiring the structuring of multiple construction and supply contracts.

Despite these layers of complexity, the project reached financial close in 2015 and commenced operations by the end of 2017, financed on a non-recourse basis by EBRD, BMCE (a Moroccan commercial bank), and the Climate Investment Funds.

Approach

Tom led the development effort in close collaboration with ACWA Power’s technical, legal, and financial teams, as well as external advisors and financiers. His approach combined leadership and deep, hands-on involvement, particularly at key turning points:

Led negotiation and structuring of all project agreements, including multi-offtaker PPAs.
Actively coordinated with public stakeholders, including the national utility, to overcome grid and permitting challenges.
Managed internal alignment within ACWA Power, navigating organizational firsts: first wind project, first merchant structure, first non-turnkey delivery.
Built and maintained trust with industrial clients during long development cycles.
Engaged local communities to address land access, environmental and social concerns.
Structured construction interfaces to ensure bankability and performance in a fragmented EPC environment.
Worked closely with financing institutions, supporting bankability through clear risk allocation and credible counterparty arrangements.
Responded quickly to emerging issues, resolving disputes and keeping development on track.

Tom’s leadership helped ACWA Power’s teams build internal capability and confidence, while enabling external counterparties to move forward with clarity and commitment.

Impact

As the lead on structuring and executing the Khalladi Wind Power Project, Tom played a pivotal role in delivering ACWA Power’s first wind investment, a project that became a strategic milestone for the company and a benchmark for private renewable energy development in Morocco.

Impact on ACWA Power

Positioned the company as a credible player in wind energy, expanding its footprint beyond thermal and solar assets.
Enabled internal capability-building in delivering complex infrastructure under a non-turnkey structure.
Introduced and executed a rare multi-offtaker model, enhancing commercial and credit structuring expertise.
Strengthened ACWA Power’s reputation with DFIs, commercial banks, and host governments.
Provided a foundation for replicating similar wind and hybrid structures in other emerging markets.

Impact on Morocco

Demonstrated that large-scale, unsubsidized renewable energy projects could be delivered by the private sector under Law 13-09.
Diversified the country’s power market by engaging corporate offtakers beyond the state utility.
Supported Morocco’s clean energy transition with 120 MW of wind capacity.
Contributed to local job creation and economic activity, with specific attention to community-sensitive engagement in the project area.
Sent a strong signal to international markets: Morocco was ready for bankable, investor-led renewables with robust governance and execution.

Fact Sheet

Client
ACWA Power

Role
Leading project development, agreement negotiation, stakeholder alignment, and risk management—working across internal teams, government agencies, financiers, and contractors

Timeframe
2014–2015

Investment Value
USD 175 million

Power Capacity
120 MW

Finance Institutions Involved
EBRD, BMCE (Moroccan commercial bank), Climate Investment Funds

Links

https://www.acwapower.com/news/khalladi-wind-farm-takes-off/