Advancing the Electric Connection Between Morocco and Portugal
The electric interconnection project between Morocco and Portugal is entering a new phase, as both countries have agreed to seek support from the European Commission to classify the initiative among strategic projects eligible for European funding. This endeavor is also aimed at attracting private sector investments. Officials from both nations have stated that this project aims to enhance energy security and diversify electricity supply sources by establishing a new link between Europe and North Africa, thereby bolstering the resilience of electrical networks in the region.
This collaborative move follows a significant power outage that affected Spain and Portugal in April 2025, highlighting the limitations of the Iberian Peninsula's electrical interconnection with the rest of Europe. This incident has expedited the revival of a project that had been postponed since 2018. The proposed interconnection is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening electricity supply security within Portugal, which currently relies solely on its connection with Spain, while also fostering integration between European and African electricity networks and reducing the risk of future outages.
European Efforts to Support the Initiative
Portuguese Minister of Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed that the electric interconnection between Morocco and Portugal was discussed during a meeting with European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera. This discussion aimed to classify the project as one of mutual European interest, allowing it to benefit from European funding. The minister emphasized that the establishment of a new electrical connection line between Europe and Africa would enhance energy security and economic cooperation between the two continents, especially as the European Union aims to improve electrical interconnectivity among its member states and strengthen network resilience, as reported by Reuters.
Carvalho noted that the interconnection would proceed through two parallel pathways: the first involves applying for funding from the "Connecting Europe Facility," while the second focuses on gauging interest from investors and network operating companies to participate in the project. Both governments are keen to avoid imposing additional financial burdens on consumers or taxpayers, thus providing the private sector an opportunity to contribute to financing the project if it demonstrates sufficient interest and economic viability.
Additionally, Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali reiterated that the interconnection aims to reduce costs and ensure affordable electricity access for citizens and various economic sectors in both countries. While technical studies are still ongoing, the final decision on whether the project will be executed through a direct underwater cable between Morocco and Portugal or by utilizing existing infrastructure linking Morocco with Spain has yet to be determined.
The electric interconnection between Morocco and Portugal received a significant boost in July 2025, when Lisbon announced its commitment to proceed with a strategic project estimated to require an investment of approximately €400 million (about $461.6 million) to enhance its energy security and diversify electricity sources. This declaration followed setbacks in plans for interconnection with France, as the Portuguese government revealed its intention to bolster network capabilities and expand electricity storage projects, raising storage capacity from 13 megawatts to around 750 megawatts in the future.
The electric interconnection between Morocco and Portugal represents a strategic option for strengthening energy relations between Europe and North Africa, leveraging Morocco's geographical location and its growing capabilities in generating electricity from renewable sources. Moreover, the project is expected to extend across the Strait of Gibraltar, providing Portugal with additional access to electricity and reinforcing Morocco's position as a regional hub for electrical interconnection between the two continents amid rising demand for clean energy.
Furthermore, the Portuguese Minister of Environment and Energy confirmed in May 2025 that the electric interconnection between Morocco and Portugal has become a national priority, especially in light of stalled negotiations for interconnection with France and considering Morocco's reliability as a partner with increasing geopolitical significance. The project gains additional importance as the European Union seeks to reduce dependence on Russian gas, with expectations that the interconnection will facilitate the exchange of green electricity, benefiting from Morocco's plans to meet over 52% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030.
As reported by attaqa.net.
