Morocco Unveils Ambitious Plan for 500 MW Renewable-Powered Data Centre in Dakhla

DAKHLA, Morocco – July 9, 2025 — The Moroccan government has formally announced the development of a 500-megawatt renewable-powered data centre in Dakhla, as part of its national strategy to enhance digital sovereignty and position the kingdom as a leading tech hub in Africa.

The data centre, to be powered entirely by solar and wind energy, will serve as a key pillar in Morocco’s broader digital modernization plan, which includes a projected investment of 11 billion dirhams (approximately $1.22 billion USD) through 2026. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform in coordination with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.

A government spokesperson stated:

“This project is a critical step toward achieving Morocco’s long-term vision for a sustainable, sovereign, and secure digital infrastructure. By building a high-capacity data centre in Dakhla, fully powered by renewable sources, we are aligning national digital growth with environmental responsibility.”

The new facility is expected to be among the largest green data centres on the African continent, offering services in cloud storage, disaster recovery, AI processing, and high-volume data hosting. It will also help reduce Morocco’s dependence on foreign digital infrastructure and strengthen national cybersecurity capabilities.

While technical design and feasibility studies are currently underway, the government confirmed that construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with phased deployment over a three-year period.

Officials emphasized that the Dakhla facility will serve as a cornerstone of Morocco’s emerging “Digital Sahara” strategy, aimed at transforming the southern provinces into a regional technology corridor. The initiative includes plans for direct subsea cable links, AI research labs, and international partnerships with private tech investors.

According to the Ministry’s 2025 strategic briefing, the data centre will be supported by a hybrid solar-wind energy grid and advanced cooling systems designed to minimize water and energy consumption.

The announcement comes as Morocco continues to attract attention for its aggressive energy transition goals, targeting 52% renewable electricity generation by 2030, and its growing role in African and Mediterranean digital markets.

Further details on investment partners, operational timelines, and international cooperation frameworks are expected to be released later this quarter.