Energy technology developer Octopus Energy Group has announced a partnership with Xlinks to build a subsea interconnector to deliver 3.6GW renewable energy from Morocco to the UK.
The project will generate 10.5GW of zero-carbon electricity from the sun and wind in Morocco to deliver 3.6GW of reliable energy for an average of over 20 hours a day. This is enough to provide low-cost, clean power to over 7 million British homes by 2030.
The partnership will speed up the UK’s transition to net zero with Xlinks laying four 3,800km-long subsea cables to connect a renewable energy farm in the Moroccan desert with Devon in South West England.
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The project aims to diversify UK supply routes and boost the country’s energy security. It is currently in the development phase, undertaking economic, environmental and archaeological impact assessments. It is scheduled to become operational in 2027.
The project
The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project will be a new electricity generation facility powered by solar and wind energy combined with a battery storage facility.
Located in Morocco’s renewable energy-rich region of Guelmim Oued Noun, it will cover an approximate area of 1,500km2.
Once complete, the project will be capable of supplying 8% of Great Britain’s electricity needs. Xlinks is expected to deliver said power at £48/MWh ($59/MWh).
An onsite 20GWh/5GW battery facility will also provide sufficient storage to deliver a source of flexible and predictable clean energy.
The project is also expected to deliver extensive economic benefits to both countries, with Xlinks bringing green energy and engineering jobs to both the UK and Morocco.
The partnership
The partnership is helmed by a team of energy experts and business entrepreneurs, including Chairman Sir Dave Lewis, CEO Simon Morrish and project director Nigel Williams who oversaw North Sea Link.
It comes as the UK government is working on strengthening the country’s energy supply routes as outlined in its Energy Security Strategy, lowering its dependence on Russian gas imports whilst lowering prices for consumers and moving closer to net zero.
Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy Group, commented: “Going green will cut energy costs for Britain. Freeing ourselves from volatile fossil fuels was already important to help combat climate change, but it’s now clear we need to do this for affordability and security.
“Layering different sources of green energy helps answer the question ‘what do we do when the wind’s not blowing’. This project is magic because it’s all proven technology – on a huge and ambitious scale.”
Simon Morrish, CEO of Xlinks, added: “This partnership presents an enormous opportunity to bring down energy bills significantly and help the UK achieve net zero.
“The investment demonstrates the ambition of both Xlinks and Octopus to deliver a cheaper, greener future for the UK public.”
