Western Sahara's Aftissat wind complex reaches 550 MW
Short record: the main facts, with sources. A full case file has not been prepared.
The Aftissat wind complex in Western Sahara reached 550 MW, owned by Nareva, which Western Sahara Resource Watch says belongs to a Moroccan royal holding. The EU Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that EU-Morocco agreements cannot apply to the territory without its people's consent.
- Nareva — Owner of the Aftissat complex, according to WSRW Western Sahara Resource Watch
- Al Mada — WSRW says it owns Nareva and calls it the holding of the Moroccan monarchy Western Sahara Resource Watch
- Goldwind — Supplied turbines to the final phases of Aftissat Western Sahara Resource Watch
- Sahrawi people — The EU Court of Justice found that the consultation process did not show their consent to EU agreements covering the territory Euronews
What happened
Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) reported on 11 August 2026 that the Aftissat wind complex had reached 550 MW and 121 turbines, with Goldwind supplying turbines to its final phases.
WSRW says the complex is owned by Nareva, which it says belongs to Al Mada, described as the holding company of the Moroccan monarchy.
On 4 October 2024 the EU Court of Justice ruled that EU-Morocco agreements covering Western Sahara require the consent of its people, and that the Commission's consultation process did not show that consent (Euronews).
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2024-10-04Claimant wonC-778/21 P and joined cases (Front Polisario)Court of Justice of the European Union · Administrative · Front Polisario → EU institutions
The Court held that EU-Morocco agreements cannot apply to Western Sahara without the consent of its people, and that the consultation process did not show that consent. Baker McKenzie
Insurers
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Record
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: Siemens Gamesa supplies turbines to almost all Western Sahara wind farms.
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: Enel is a partner of Nareva in the 300 MW Boujdour wind farm.
- Insufficient Reported but not verified: Nareva was one of five operators selected in March 2025 for green hydrogen schemes covering up to 30,000 hectares each.
- None on record Gap: no statement from Nareva or Al Mada is given in the sources reviewed.
- None on record Gap: the sources reviewed do not say whether Sahrawi communities were consulted on the Aftissat complex itself.
Did the harm stop?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Who paid?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Sources
Company or project
- Front Polisario: Court of Justice confirms EU institutions violated right to self-determinationBaker McKenzie · 2024-10-21
Press and investigations
Communities and civil society
- Occupied Western Sahara wind complex expands into Africa's top threeWestern Sahara Resource Watch · 2026-08-11
Connected cases
- Bou Craa phosphate mine and Morocco green hydrogen in Western Sahara Western Sahara (controlled in large part by Morocco) · 1975–2026