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Doha – The ambitious Xlinks power project connecting Morocco to the United Kingdom will traverse Spanish waters as part of its 3,800-kilometer route, marking another significant energy infrastructure development involving the Iberian nation.
After dedicating previous feature articles on the planned tunnel between Morocco and Spain, as well as the REMO electric interconnection linking the two Mediterranean countries since 2006, Spanish newspaper AS reports that this new green energy initiative will establish an unprecedented power corridor through Spanish maritime territory.
The project, valued at approximately $20 billion, aims to generate 11.5 gigawatts of carbon-free electricity from solar and wind sources in Morocco’s Guelmim Oued Noun region.
According to Xlinks CEO Dave Lewis, the initiative is expected to reduce energy prices in the UK by 9.3% while providing reliable power to around 7 million British households.
The massive infrastructure project will utilize 4,000-kilometer HVDC submarine cables to transmit clean energy directly to Great Britain.
The system is designed to deliver 3.6 gigawatts of reliable energy for an average of 19 hours daily, potentially meeting 8% of Britain’s electricity needs once fully operational.
A key component of the project is its storage capability, featuring a 22.5 GWh/5 GW battery installation that will ensure consistent power delivery to the UK grid.
The facility will complement Britain’s existing renewable energy reserves while taking advantage of Morocco’s abundant solar resources and consistent wind patterns.
The development is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, creating over 12,000 temporary and permanent jobs during both the construction phase and subsequent operational period.
In an interview with The Times, Lewis emphasized that this project represents a crucial opportunity for Morocco to reassert its position in the renewable energy sector as a key supplier of solar and wind power.
The initiative aligns with Morocco’s broader environmental goals. The country aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 45.5% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, according to the latest economic report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The cable route will follow the continental shelf from Morocco to Great Britain, passing through Spanish, Portuguese, and French waters, though it will not have electrical connections to these countries.
This routing strategy, while longer than a direct path, has been chosen to avoid the technical challenges posed by the deeper waters of the Bay of Biscay.
The project has already secured significant backing, with investments from major energy companies including Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), TotalEnergies, and Octopus Energy.
In August 2023, the UK government declared it a project of “national significance,” underlining its strategic importance for British energy security.
Read also: Residents in UK’s Devon Concerned About UK-Morocco Power Project Impact on Tourism, Economy
