Exploring the Social Acceptance of Offshore Wind Farms in Morocco

Morocco is a leading African nation in renewable energy, with growing interest in expanding offshore wind energy. As offshore wind projects have gained momentum worldwide, public acceptance, particularly regarding their environmental and visual impacts, has become a critical consideration. This exploratory study examines the social acceptance of offshore wind farms (OWFs) in Morocco by integrating social acceptance analysis with a visual impact assessment based on three-dimensional (3D) image modeling in an emerging offshore wind context. Social perceptions were first assessed through a small-scale survey, with findings interpreted descriptively and considered alongside results from a public perception survey conducted in Japan, which served as a contextual reference. A hypothetical offshore wind installation along the Moroccan coast was then simulated, followed by a small-scale exploratory perception survey to examine initial reactions to different visual configurations. Given the limited sample size, the findings are indicative rather than generalizable. Nevertheless, they provide preliminary insights into the prominent role of environmental considerations, particularly ecological protection and visual integration, in shaping attitudes toward OWFs. This study highlights the relevance of careful site selection, transparent communication, and early stakeholder engagement as context-sensitive considerations for offshore wind development in Morocco.