Analyzing life cycle costs and carbon emission reduction of a first offshore wind farm in africa under the climatic conditions of Morocco: Case study

This article provides an economic assessment evaluating the feasibility of establishing offshore wind farms in Morocco, with a particular focus on a 500 MW wind farm in the maritime area near the Tarfaya region. The study begins by assessing the wind potential of the selected site. Following this, a developed model is employed to evaluate the economic costs associated with the various phases of the offshore wind farm project. The research examines the impact of cost factors on these phases. The findings indicate that approximately two-thirds of the total cost of the project is attributed to capital expenditures, while the remaining one-third covers operational expenses and decommissioning costs over the project's entire life cycle. Additionally, the study calculates a Levelized cost of energy of 152 USD/MWh, based on the estimated energy production of the offshore wind farm. Through sensitivity analysis, the research elucidates the complex interplay of various factors that collectively influence the Levelized cost of energy. The life cycle analysis of transitioning to wind power at the Tarfaya site demonstrates significant reductions in carbon emissions with 1,051,200 tCO₂/MWh when replacing fuel-oil power plants and 700,800 tCO₂/MWh when substituting natural gas power plants. These results underscore the immediate environmental benefits, aligning with regional sustainability goals and the United Nations sustainable development goals.