2023-09-29 19:44:32
As proof of the strong relationship between the two kingdoms, the project is recognized by the British Government as an “infrastructure of national importance”. Led by Xlinks, this project is being developed in the Guelmim Oued Noun region of south-central Morocco. The electricity will be transported over a distance of 3,800 kilometers via an underwater cable.
The United Kingdom has just declared the Xlinks project of “national importance”. The ambitious £20 billion project aims to bring solar and wind power from the Sahara to the UK via the world’s longest undersea cable. The decision was made by Claire Coutinho, the UK’s new energy secretary, and is expected to simplify the project planning process, reports the Financial Times.
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“Great for the UK, as we might be one step closer to @xlinks_uk’s Morocco-UK Power Project, which will provide 8% of our electricity, rejoices the Kingdom’s energy secretary -Uni, Claire Coutinho in a post on X (Twitter). A sign of the strong relationship between our two nations,” she says.
The project, led by Xlinks and overseen by Sir Dave Lewis, former CEO of Tesco, is being developed in the Guelmim Oued Noun region of southern Morocco, where much of the energy will be generated. Specifically, electricity will be transported 3,800 kilometers via an undersea cable to the North Devon village of Alverdiscott, where it will be integrated into the UK national grid.
Fantastic for the UK that we cd be one step closer to the @xlinks_uk Morocco-UK Power Project which will supply 8% of our electricity as @ClaireCoutinho at DESNZ recognises it as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. Sign of the strong relationship btwn our 2 nations.
— Heather Wheeler MP (@HeatherWheeler) September 28, 2023
This colossal project has an impressive production capacity of 10.5 gigawatts, of which 7 gigawatts will come from solar sources and 3.5 gigawatts from wind energy. Dave Lewis highlights the reliability of Morocco’s southern regions as an energy source, because “the sun shines every day there, and the wind blows every evening.” Despite its high cost estimated at between £20 billion and £22 billion, Xlinks says the project can be delivered without government subsidies or financial assistance, and it might revolutionize the UK’s energy landscape.
The project is considered to be of “national importance”, meaning the planning application for a converter station at Alverdiscott, essential for transferring energy into the network, will be considered directly by the Government, bypassing the Council of district of Torridge, in Devon. This simplified approach should ensure a unified consent procedure and fixed deadlines.
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However, the long-term viability of the project depends on Xlinks negotiating a contract with the UK government guaranteeing a fixed price of electricity, known as a “contract for difference”. Xlinks is currently seeking a 25-year contract guaranteeing a price between $68 and $78 per megawatt hour (MWh) at 2012 prices, or regarding $94 to $106 per MWh at current rates. However, these prices might fluctuate depending on developments in the UK energy market.
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