Britain has outlined a plan to lay an undersea cable to transfer renewable energy from Morocco as a project of "national significance." The company "X-Lynx," led by former Tesco CEO Dave Lewis, aims to lay undersea cables stretching 3,800 kilometers to supply solar and wind energy from the Sahara Desert to seven million British homes by 2030. Lewis told the Financial Times that the estimated cost of the project ranges between £20 billion ($24.47 billion) and £22 billion.
UK Energy Security and Net Zero Emissions Minister Claire Coutinho stated that the project is of national importance due to its potential to help the country eliminate fossil fuels. The statement noted that "the proposed project could play an important role in enabling an energy system that meets the UK's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and the government's goals of providing secure, reliable, and affordable energy supply for consumers."
X-Lynx mentioned that the project would create approximately 10,000 jobs in Morocco, of which 2,000 would become permanent, and it aligns with the country's energy export strategy. Although X-Lynx described the government's approval of its project as a "major achievement," numerous challenges remain. In addition to the need for the longest undersea cable in the world for high-voltage direct current, the company must secure further funding, negotiate long-term pricing contracts, and obtain permission to transit through Spanish and French territorial waters.
