Morocco has backed plans for a major renewable energy project that could export electricity to Germany through what would become the world’s longest power cable.
Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali said the Moroccan government welcomes the Sila Atlantik project and is ready to discuss its development with Germany, according to Handelsblatt.
In a letter to German Economy State Secretary Frank Wetzel, Benali said the project is consistent with Morocco’s strategic energy vision.
The project’s developers plan to build wind farms and solar plants in Morocco with a combined capacity of 15 gigawatts.
The facilities could generate up to 26 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to about 5% of Germany’s yearly power consumption.
The electricity would be transmitted to Germany through two submarine cable lines, each with a capacity of 1.8 gigawatts.
The cables would stretch about 4,800 kilometers, potentially making Sila Atlantik the world’s longest electricity transmission cable if completed.
Developers say Morocco’s solar plants can operate at full capacity for four to five times as many hours as comparable facilities in Germany, while the country’s coastal regions also offer favorable conditions for wind power.
They argue that combining solar and wind generation could provide a more stable electricity supply and reduce Germany’s need for expensive backup power.
Reuters reported in late July that Morocco wanted the cable to allow electricity to flow in both directions, a requirement that could increase costs and affect the project’s profitability.
Roman Dudenhausen, one of the project’s founders, rejected concerns over the issue, saying developers would make the change if Morocco required it.
The project is estimated to cost between €30 billion and €40 billion. Developers plan to raise an initial €250 million to €300 million through several funding rounds starting next year.
However, current EU and German rules do not provide a clear framework or dedicated subsidies for importing renewable electricity from outside Europe.
Germany has said a new government-to-government framework will be needed to establish rules governing long-term electricity trading and the operation of the cross-border connection.
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