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Rabat – The North Ayrshire Council Planning Committee has granted full planning permission for XLCC’s HVDC subsea cable factory in Hunterston, Scotland, a crucial step towards the realization of the Morocco-UK Xlinks subsea cable project.
The decision will pave the way for the construction of the United Kingdom’s first high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable manufacturing facility, Scottish Construction Now reported on Friday.
Cable manufacturing company XLCC has already secured its first order for four colossal cables, each spanning a distance of 3,800 kilometers.
These cables will play a vital role in facilitating the connection of solar and wind power generation from Morocco to the UK as part of the ambitious Xlinks project.
The subsea cable project aims to harness the North African country’s vast renewable energy potential and deliver it to the UK. It is set to cover around 8% of Britain’s annual electricity needs, powering more than 7 million British homes.
In addition, the project will help the two nations reach their renewable energy targets, including transitioning to a low-carbon economy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The cable manufacturing facility is designed in collaboration with Pick Everard, a UK-based professional service company specializing in architecture, engineering, and construction.
Director at Pick Everard Santosh Patel expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying. “We want the HVDC cable factory to be a beacon for others and an example of commitment to supporting our country’s drive to net zero,” he said. “To reach our goals, expanding our solar and wind infrastructure is crucial, and this factory will help massively in accomplishing this.”
In addition, Patel expressed his company’s pride to be “involved and at the forefront of this project, helping to create a new high tech green industry for the UK.”
Work on the subsea cable facility is scheduled to start in early 2024, with the first cables anticipated to begin production in 2026.
