AfrElec: Octopus Energy joins Xlinks in $21.9bn subsea Morocco-UK cable project

Octopus Energy Group of the UK has partnered with the subsea cable manufacturer Xlinks on the construction of the world’s longest subsea cable to deliver renewable energy from Morocco to the island nation.

According to Xlinks, once operational, the $21.9bn project will be capable of supplying 8% of Great Britain’s electricity needs at GBP48/MWh for 25 years under the current contract for difference (CfD) mechanism.

“This partnership presents an enormous opportunity to bring down energy bills significantly and help the UK achieve net zero,” Xlinks chief executive Simon Morrish said. “The investment demonstrates the ambition of both Xlinks and Octopus to deliver a cheaper, greener future for the UK public.”

The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project will stretch over an area of 1,500 square kilometres in Morocco and be connected exclusively to the UK along a shallow-water route from Morocco to the UK, passing Spain, Portugal and France.

The project comes under UK’s energy security strategy, which aims to lower its dependence on Russian gas imports, preserve the climate and reduce consumer prices. It should be finalised by 2027.