- The United Kingdom has withdrawn support for a $33bn renewable electricity interconnector project that would transmit solar and wind power from Morocco to Britain.
- Authorities cited delivery complexity, infrastructure security risks and taxpayer exposure as key concerns behind the decision.
The United Kingdom has withdrawn financial and policy backing for a major cross-continental renewable energy project. The project aimed to transmit electricity from Morocco to Britain through long-distance subsea cables.
British energy authorities based the decision on a risk assessment. The assessment highlighted execution complexity and infrastructure security exposure linked to the project.
Xlinks introduced the project in 2021. Developers valued it at about $33bn. The project aimed to deliver solar and wind power generated in North Africa directly into the UK grid. At full capacity, it was expected to supply about eight per cent of Britain’s electricity demand. That output could power around seven million homes.
In a formal statement, the UK energy department flagged major logistical and security risks. Officials said the government will redirect public funding to energy solutions considered more reliable and lower risk for taxpayers.
Meanwhile, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the government must prioritise options with stronger delivery certainty. He also said the government must reduce long-term exposure for consumers. The UK is pursuing full electricity sector decarbonisation by 2030. The country has already retired its last coal-fired power plant.
Despite the withdrawal, Xlinks says it will continue developing the project. The company has secured investment commitments from partners, including TotalEnergies and Africa Finance Corporation.
Furthermore, Project backers argue that Morocco’s high solar irradiation and strong wind resources support lower-cost electricity generation. They say this could outperform some domestic options, including new nuclear capacity.
The proposal involves nearly 4,000 kilometres of high-voltage submarine cables. The design aims to minimise transmission losses across multiple international maritime zones. If completed, the system would rank among the longest electricity interconnectors ever built.
The Morocco–UK concept reflects a broader European shift. Several countries are exploring imports of low-cost renewable electricity from North Africa. Developers are studying similar interconnection concepts between North Africa and southern Europe. These include potential links involving Tunisia and Egypt.
The UK still relies on natural gas for a significant share of electricity generation. At the same time, the country is rapidly expanding domestic wind, solar and battery storage capacity. The decision shows the challenge of balancing decarbonisation speed, infrastructure risk and energy security.