The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, designed to produce carbon-free electricity for over 7 million British homes, could be scrapped in favor of Germany, reports Bloomberg.
The first-of-its-kind project aims to lay down 3,800 kilometers of undersea cables to deliver solar and wind energy from the Moroccan Sahara to the UK by 2030. It is expected to generate 10.5 gigawatts of carbon-free electricity to provide 3.6 gigawatts of reliable energy for more than 20 hours a day on average, meeting 8% of Britain’s electricity needs.
Citing planning documents published on the website of Europe’s transmission system operators, Bloomberg noted that the ambitious project, valued at $20.6 billion, could transmit electricity to Germany instead of the UK.
It stated that the potential shift could prompt UK authorities to offer support for the project, which is considered of “national importance” as it is expected to help the nation attain its net-zero objectives.
Xlinks could supply both countries with renewable power, just do a UK connection or connect solely to Germany, although the latter is only a remote possibility, noted Chief Executive Simon Morrish. More information on this matter is anticipated from Morrish in the coming weeks.
“We are looking at options,” he said, adding that “everything is a possibility.”
Bloomberg said that it remains unclear whether the UK will provide the essential support necessary to realize “such an unconventional project,” but Xlinks has indicated previous discussions aimed at securing government backing.
Citing the Entso-e document, the same source added that Xlinks intends to maintain the generation aspect of the project in Morocco for the German version while transmitting approximately 26 terawatt hours of power via subsea cables to the German grid operated by Tennet Holding,
For context, this project is another ambitious plan for Morocco’s expansive clean energy production aim, which will not only help the Kingdom meet its clean energy goals but station it as a primary clean energy exporter to neighboring Europe.
Xlinks asserts that the project would generate nearly 10,000 employment opportunities in Morocco, with 2,000 of them being permanent positions, and it aligns with the nation’s energy export strategy.
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