X-Links president and former Tesco chief Dave Lewis is threatening to relocate a groundbreaking £25 billion Morocco-UK renewable energy project away from the UK due to government delays. Lewis told The Telegraph that investors might shift the massive venture to Germany or other markets if British officials don’t act soon.
“Government hesitation could permanently derail this opportunity,” Lewis warned, noting that while funding is available, bureaucratic hurdles hamper progress.
The ambitious project is set to transport solar and wind energy from Morocco’s Saharan region near Tan-Tan to Britain through 4,000 kilometers of undersea high-voltage cables. Once completed, it would power nine million British homes and cut the UK energy sector’s CO2 emissions by 10 percent.
Morocco’s favorable weather conditions would enable the system to produce electricity for approximately 19 hours daily. At around £70 per megawatt-hour (MWh), this renewable energy would cost less than nuclear, biomass, or tidal power. While British offshore wind farms offer comparable prices, they remain subject to unpredictable weather patterns.
Tesco’s former boss said that X-Links’ operation in Morocco is set to create 10,000 jobs, describing the country as “driving this.”
Lewis described Morocco as a “future renewable energy powerhouse” with vast untapped potential. The project’s financial side appears solid – investors have already committed £8 billion, and market tests to raise the remaining £17 billion generated offers far exceeding expectations.
Despite being designated a “project of national importance” 18 months ago, X-Links still awaits approval for a long-term guaranteed purchase contract from the government. This authorization is critical for securing the full investment.
Read also: Morocco’s Ouarzazate Noor Solar Plant Supplies 2 Million Moroccans with Electricity
The decision now rests with UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband, whose approval is needed to establish a stable purchase price for the electricity.
These delays also threaten plans for a cable factory in Scotland that would create 1,200 jobs. After four years of development work, project backers are growing impatient with administrative bottlenecks.
“We have the money, we have the technology, we have willing partners in Morocco – what we lack is timely decision-making in London,” Lewis added, stressing that renewable energy investors have multiple global options for deploying their capital.
Morocco’s growing leadership in renewable energy
Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in green energy by investing in renewable projects like solar and wind power installations.
According to Bloomberg, the North African nation plans to more than double its green energy capacity from 1.3 gigawatts to 2.7 gigawatts by 2027.
With its world-class Noor Ouarzazate complex, Morocco has demonstrated impressive innovation in solar technology. This flagship renewable energy project showcases the country’s commitment to sustainable power generation.
As it strives to meet growing electricity demands nationwide, Morocco is rapidly and impressively expanding renewable energy infrastructure into its southern regions.
