A thrilling new project aims to build a nearly 4,000-kilometer undersea power line connecting vast wind and solar farms in Morocco to the UK, potentially supplying clean energy to around seven million homes. Simon Morrish, the project’s architect, believes this is the best solution for Britain’s future electricity needs. However, he faces significant challenges, including securing billions in funding and government support, along with necessary permits. Despite delays in construction and skepticism from locals, Morrish remains optimistic that this ambitious plan will reshape the energy landscape and showcase North Africa’s renewable potential, making it a groundbreaking step towards a greener future.

Table of Contents
1. Undersea Power Line from Morocco to the UK
2. The Visionary Behind the Plan
3. Transforming the Energy Landscape
4. Morocco’s Energy Potential
5. Challenges Ahead
6. A Global Perspective
7. The Dream of Renewable Energy
8. Looking Forward

Undersea Power Line from Morocco to the UK

A groundbreaking project aims to build a nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,500-mile) undersea power line connecting massive wind and solar farms in Morocco to the UK. This ambitious plan is designed to provide a reliable electricity supply to meet the growing demand in Britain.

The Visionary Behind the Plan

Simon Morrish, the mastermind behind this project, believes it’s the best solution for clean energy in the UK. “It was like, ‘Why isn’t anyone doing this?’” says Morrish, who has a background in management consulting and also runs a landscape company. Despite securing early investments and assembling an experienced team, Morrish faces significant challenges. He needs government subsidies, billions of dollars in funding, and essential permits from several countries that control the seabed.

Energy Landscape

This project reflects a major shift in how electricity is distributed. Unlike coal and gas plants, which are usually close to where energy is consumed, wind and solar farms in remote areas require long transmission lines to deliver power to cities. Europe is already adapting to this by connecting networks through submarine cables, like the recent 475-mile link between the UK and Denmark.

Morocco’s Energy Potential

Western Morocco is rich in renewable energy resources, with around 10 hours of sunshine daily and strong winds. Morrish’s company, Xlinks, plans to create solar farms, wind turbines, and battery systems that could supply 8% of the UK’s electricity—enough to power approximately seven million homes. To achieve this, they will need nearly 10,000 miles of cable, far more than current suppliers can provide. So, Morrish is building a new cable factory near Fairlie, Scotland, which will feature a tower taller than the Washington Monument.

Challenges Ahead

However, the factory’s construction has faced multiple delays, causing skepticism among local residents. “It’s a beautiful area, and you’re going to build a huge factory that runs 24/7?” questioned Rita Holmes, a long-time Fairlie resident.

Building transmission projects can take over a decade. In the US, the Biden administration is pushing to simplify the permitting process for similar projects, which raises hopes for advancements.

A Global Perspective

Internationally, major investments are also happening. Companies like Meridiam are leading projects to connect countries through power lines, including a 1,200-kilometer link from Greece to Israel via Cyprus. These projects aim to transmit vast amounts of electricity over long distances efficiently.

The Dream of Renewable Energy

Morrish has attracted investments from notable companies like TotalEnergies and General Electric, securing £100 million (about $126 million) in funding. However, the total cost of construction is projected to be between £22 billion and £24 billion. Talks with the British government for additional funding have been delayed, adding to the uncertainty.

While Morocco stands to gain jobs and investment, the plan’s success relies on multiple factors, including overcoming regulatory hurdles and public support.

Looking Forward

The idea of connecting North Africa’s renewable energy to Europe is not new, but previous attempts have failed due to political issues. Now, with lower renewable energy costs and simpler permitting processes, Morrish is optimistic. “I’m absolutely confident it’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s just taking a little longer than I hoped.”

This project represents a bold step towards a cleaner energy future, showcasing how global collaboration could reshape the energy landscape.