Morocco electricity project Germany bidirectional cable demands

Called Sila Atlantik, the project plans two high-voltage submarine cables spanning approximately 4,800 kilometers. Powered by up to 15 gigawatts of solar and wind installations in Morocco, they could cover up to 5% of Germany’s annual electricity consumption.

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But Moroccan authorities are demanding a bidirectional link, according to four Moroccan and German sources cited by Reuters. Electricity should therefore be able to flow from Germany to Morocco when the Kingdom needs it.

Rabat also demands Berlin’s guarantee

This option would be technically feasible, but would increase the project’s cost. Rabat is also requesting an intergovernmental agreement officially approved by Berlin to guarantee a lasting commitment from the German state.

These disagreements are notably delaying the allocation of necessary land. Approximately 150,000 hectares had been considered in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region for Xlinks, the former cable project between Morocco and the United Kingdom. This same allocation has not yet been granted to Sila Atlantik.

The German company assures that the project is advancing according to its technical, commercial, regulatory and financial roadmap. However, it indicates that it continues to study various options to ensure its long-term development.

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Morocco already has, via Spain, the only electrical interconnection between Africa and Europe. Other links with Spain, Portugal and France are also under study.