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Doha – According to a recent article published by AS newspaper in Spain, while discussions about a potential tunnel between Spain and Morocco make headlines, a significant electrical interconnection has been quietly linking the two countries for years.
The project, known as REMO (Western Mediterranean Electrical Reinforcement), represents the only submarine interconnection between two continents and the sole electrical link between Europe and the Maghreb.
The initial connection was established in 1997 with a 700-megawatt capacity, connecting terminal stations in Tarifa, Spain, and Fardioua, Morocco.
In 2006, responding to increased energy exchange demands, a second connection doubled the technical capacity to 1,400 MW, strengthening both countries’ electrical systems’ reliability and stability.
The infrastructure consists of three submarine cables stretching 29 kilometers across the Strait of Gibraltar’s seabed, reaching depths of up to 620 meters.
The project, jointly managed by Spain’s Red Eléctrica de España (REE) and Morocco’s Office National de l’Électricité (ONE), required a €115 million investment, split equally between both entities, with support from the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.
Read also: What Makes Bridging the Strait of Gibraltar Between Spain and Morocco So Challenging?
The development process was meticulous, requiring seven years of preliminary studies to determine the optimal cable route, technical specifications, and environmental impact assessments.
The submarine cables are protected near coastal areas through burial or concrete coverings to minimize environmental impact and ensure compatibility with fishing activities.
Statistics demonstrate the interconnection’s significance: between 2000 and 2004, Spain exported 8,218,774 MWh while importing 62,726 MWh. By October 2005, exports reached 537,792 MWh, with imports at 91,717 MWh.
Environmental considerations were paramount throughout the project. REE implemented extensive preventive and corrective measures, particularly protecting the Cymodocea nodosa marine plant, a protected species forming underwater fields of community interest. The project also included rehabilitation of affected areas, notably the Los Lances beach marshland.
The interconnection operates on a three-phase alternating current system at 50 Hz, with a nominal voltage of 400 kV and maximum voltage of 420 kV.
The total estimated length of the connection, including underground cables, spans 31.3 kilometers, using single-core fluid-filled cables and two fiber optic cables.
This electrical link not only represents a technical achievement but also forms part of the Mediterranean electrical ring, reinforcing Morocco’s strategic position as a bridge between Europe and Africa while contributing to the region’s sustainable development and energy security.
