The United Kingdom has decided to withdraw backing for a major renewable energy venture designed to transmit electricity from Morocco to Britain through long-distance subsea cables. British energy authorities cited concerns over execution complexity and security exposure as key reasons for stepping away from the proposed development.
The initiative, valued at an estimated $33 billion, aimed to channel solar and wind power generated in North Africa directly into the UK grid.
Government cites financial and security concerns
In a formal statement, the UK’s energy department concluded that the project carried substantial inherent risks, both in terms of delivery logistics and infrastructure protection. Officials indicated that public funds should instead be directed toward alternatives viewed as more reliable and less burdensome for taxpayers.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks emphasized that the government must prioritize options offering stronger certainty and lower exposure for consumers. Britain continues to pursue a long-term strategy of fully decarbonizing its electricity system by 2030 and has already shut down its final coal-fired power plant.
Xlinks project faces political setback
The cross-continental proposal was introduced in 2021 by Xlinks. The company envisioned exporting large volumes of renewable electricity from Morocco, claiming the link could supply roughly eight percent of Britain’s current power consumption—enough to serve about seven million households.
Despite the withdrawal of UK government support, Xlinks has signaled that it intends to continue advancing the project. The company has secured financial commitments from investors including TotalEnergies and the Africa Finance Corporation.
Project backers argue that electricity produced under Morocco’s favorable solar and wind conditions could be delivered at competitive prices and on a faster timeline than expanding domestic nuclear capacity.
Europe’s growing interest in North African renewables
The Morocco-UK link reflects a broader European trend of sourcing clean energy from North Africa, where renewable generation costs can be significantly lower due to abundant sunshine and strong winds. The plan involves nearly 4,000 kilometers of high-voltage submarine cables engineered to minimize transmission losses while crossing international waters.
If realized, the connection would represent one of the longest electricity interconnectors ever built. Similar initiatives are under consideration elsewhere in the region, with projects in Tunisia and Egypt exploring transmission routes to southern Europe.
Britain remains heavily dependent on natural gas for electricity production, even as it expands domestic wind, solar and storage capacity. The decision to withdraw from the Morocco partnership underscores the complex balance between ambition, risk management and energy security in the transition to renewables.
