Portugal is considering a new electricity interconnection with Morocco, citing repeated delays in planned energy projects with France that continue to isolate the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of the European power grid.
Portuguese Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho revealed the potential shift during a recent meeting with European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in Brussels. The announcement underscores Lisbon’s growing frustration with stalled infrastructure projects intended to connect Portugal and Spain to central Europe via France.
“What we’re asking for is to speed up these projects,” Carvalho said. “If this doesn’t happen, we are keeping the Morocco option on the table, even though it is more expensive due to the distance and the need for undersea cables.”
Portugal and Spain jointly sent a letter to the European Commission warning that the Iberian Peninsula remains an “energy island.” The letter calls for an urgent meeting with French officials to establish a clear timeline for completing three delayed electricity interconnections.
“The completion of the interconnection is no longer optional; it’s a shared responsibility for Europe’s energy future,” the countries wrote.
The renewed urgency comes in the wake of a widespread blackout in April that affected millions across Portugal and Spain, exposing the fragility of the region’s isolated energy system.
The joint letter also warned that the lack of full integration restricts renewable energy deployment, inflates electricity prices, and undermines both energy security and Europe’s resilience in future crises.
Portugal’s openness to a Moroccan connection — despite higher costs associated with long-distance undersea cables — highlights the strategic value of North Africa’s growing energy potential. It also signals a broader willingness within the EU to look beyond traditional partners in search of energy diversification and grid resilience.
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