Acwa Power has partnered with Gotion High-Tech’s Moroccan subsidiary to launch an $800 million wind power project, aiming to drive Morocco’s electric vehicle (EV) battery production forward.
The project, which includes a 500-megawatt (MW) wind power plant paired with a 2,000 megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage system, will support Gotion’s planned gigafactory in Kenitra.
The move aligns with Morocco’s growing profile as a North African hub for renewable energy and high-tech manufacturing.
The wind plant is part of Acwa Power’s expansive $1.8 billion investment initiative, launched at the recent Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.
Alongside Morocco’s wind project, Acwa Power’s agreements cover renewable energy, battery storage, and research across Gulf nations, China, Central Asia, and North Africa. The ventures highlight Acwa Power’s strategy to accelerate renewable projects globally.
In a statement, Acwa Power CEO Marco Arcelli stressed the value of strategic partnerships like that with Gotion, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation in energy production. He noted that these alliances boost Acwa’s capabilities in renewable energy and help drive sustainable growth in the industry.
Gotion High-Tech’s Kenitra gigafactory, set to open in 2026, will initially produce 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of EV battery cells annually, with plans to increase capacity to 100 GWh in the future. The facility is expected to create 17,000 direct and indirect jobs, including 2,300 highly skilled positions, and export roughly 85% of its output, strengthening Morocco’s role as an emerging EV battery production hub.
The gigafactory will position Morocco as a major player in sustainable automotive manufacturing, capitalizing on the country’s proximity to European markets.
Gotion High-Tech noted that the Kenitra plant is only the beginning of its long-term investment in Morocco, as the company sees ample growth opportunities in the region’s renewable energy and EV sectors.
Gotion and Acwa’s collaboration highlights Morocco’s commitment to becoming a global leader in clean technology. The new gigafactory aligns with Morocco’s broader objective of attracting high-value investments, aimed at creating 500,000 jobs and securing $50 billion in green technology investments by 2026.
Morocco has positioned itself as an attractive destination for foreign investment, thanks to its political stability, skilled workforce, and strategic free trade agreements that offer access to international markets.
The country has attracted substantial investments from prominent Chinese firms including Hailiang, Shinzoom, and BTR New Material Group, all of which are setting up facilities for critical EV battery components such as anodes, cathodes, and copper products. The projects complement Morocco’s evolving automotive industry and support the nation’s shift towards electric mobility.
In addition, Morocco’s free trade agreements with the European Union and other global markets, combined with its natural resource wealth, including phosphates and cobalt (key materials for EV battery production), make it an ideal location for companies aiming to expand their sustainable energy portfolios.
The new gigafactory project with Gotion also coincides with Morocco’s extensive efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a greener economy.
The Kenitra plant will be the first EV battery gigafactory in Africa and the Middle East equipped with its own dedicated renewable power sources, which aligns with the national goal of producing 52% of Morocco’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
In addition to the Moroccan wind project, Acwa Power has secured a $690 million financing deal with the National Bank of Kuwait and a $402 million Sharia-compliant loan from the International Finance Corporation to support its solar energy initiatives in Uzbekistan.
The company’s growing portfolio of projects cover the Gulf, Central Asia, and North Africa, reflecting its strategy of diversifying across key energy markets.
By focusing on large-scale, cross-regional projects, Acwa Power aims to expand its renewable energy footprint, enabling countries to achieve sustainable development goals while fostering local job creation and economic growth.
