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Marrakech – The German government has expressed official support for the ambitious Sila Atlantik project, which aims to transport renewable electricity from Morocco to Germany through a 4,800-kilometer undersea cable.
According to German media reports, including Handelsblatt, the project has gained momentum with backing from Berlin’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. Economic State Secretary Frank Wetzel sent a letter to Moroccan Investment Minister Karim Zidane, stating that Germany welcomes the initiative and noting “the ambitions and potential” of the project.
“We are seeing growing interest in Sila Atlantik. The positive feedback from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and several companies is very helpful,” said Roman Dudenhausen, one of the project’s initiators and managing director of Conenergy. He added that the initiative is “currently engaged in very constructive negotiations with the Moroccan government.”
The Sila Atlantik venture represents a revival of Morocco-Europe energy ambitions following the British government’s rejection in late June 2025 of a similar UK-focused project. Xlinks, through its subsidiary Xlinks Germany GmbH, independently developed this new initiative backed by German utilities E.ON and Uniper.
The project capitalizes on dramatically reduced renewable energy production costs and technological breakthroughs in transmission compared to earlier failed ventures like Desertec in the early 2000s.
Industry veterans from energy giants EnBW and Orsted have taken leadership positions to drive the initiative forward. The project has attracted attention from major energy corporations, including E.ON, Uniper, and potentially Octopus Energy.
The Sila Atlantik trademark registration was officially filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office on January 31, 2025, and received formal approval on May 5.
Read also: Morocco to Launch Massive 4,800km Power Cable to Supply Germany with Saharan Energy
The massive infrastructure project involves installing wind and photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 15 gigawatts in Morocco. Developers plan to export up to 26 terawatt hours of electricity annually, equivalent to approximately 5% of Germany’s total electricity consumption.
The submarine cable will run along the coasts of Portugal, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands before reaching Germany. According to reports, the project requires investments ranging from €30 to €40 billion.
Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway company and the country’s largest electricity consumer, has emerged as a potential major customer. In a letter to the state secretary, DB expressed interest in the Moroccan electricity supply.
“Large quantities of solar and wind energy from Morocco would represent an attractive supply option. DB would therefore welcome the German government’s support for Sila Atlantik in its relations with the Moroccan government,” the letter stated.
Currently, about 70% of Deutsche Bahn’s electricity comes from renewable sources, with the company aiming to operate exclusively on green electricity by 2038.
Wetzel referenced the existing Moroccan-German energy partnership established in 2012, noting the European country’s strong interest in further discussions about the project. The initiative builds on this long-standing cooperation framework between the two countries.
Project planners face several challenges, including securing approval from various European coastal states whose maritime territories the cable would cross. Experts have also raised concerns about supply chain constraints for submarine cables and wind turbines, prompting project developers to consider establishing their own manufacturing facilities in Morocco.
To address cable production needs, project initiators are exploring the construction of a cable factory in Germany. “We see this as an opportunity and are advocating for building a cable factory in Germany,” Dudenhausen told Handelsblatt, noting ongoing discussions with companies and political actors about this possibility.
