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Spotted: A national partnership between Morocco and the United Kingdom is bringing a near-constant supply of wind and solar power to households around the UK. Called the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, the energy will be transported to the UK via 3,800 kilometres of cable buried beneath the seabed. The cables will connect to the UK national grid in Devon, and the project forecasts provision of up to eight per cent of the UK’s energy needs.  

The four cables are high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC), and are being used due to their ability to reduce inefficiencies when transporting power. The project is part of the push to achieve a national net-zero electricity network by 2035.  

Laying of the cable will be done with help from fleets of fishers, and the planned route of the cable avoids as many conservation areas as possible. The solar and wind farm will be located in the Guelmim Oued Noun region in the southern part of Morocco. The cables will run above ground from the generation station until they reach the city of Tantan, at which point they will move underground.  

Power generation is expected to begin in 2027, and the project team plans to hire as many local workers as possible in both countries, as well as contribute to the development of related industries.  

Renewable energy is in an incredibly exciting stage of development, with innovations ranging from wind-powered street lamps to self-charging, solar-powered public transport microcars. 

Written by: Keely Khoury

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