Europe’s ambitious shift towards a greener power sector is gaining momentum, with North Africa emerging as a key player in this transition.
According to recent forecasts by Rystad Energy, 73 per cent of Europe’s electricity will come from clean sources by 2035, with North Africa potentially contributing up to 24 gigawatts (GW) through subsea interconnectors.
Currently, Morocco is the only African country directly connected to Europe, with two high-voltage cables to Spain, each carrying 700 megawatts (MW).
A third cable is in development, complementing large-scale initiatives like the Xlinks UK-Morocco project.
The Xlinks project aims to establish 11.5 GW of renewable capacity, supported by 22.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery energy storage and a 3.6 GW subsea link between the UK and Morocco. Other significant projects include:
- The GREGY interconnection between Greece and Egypt
- The ELMED-TUNITA project between Tunisia and Italy
These initiatives have attracted substantial investment from governments and financial institutions.
Once these projects are completed, North Africa will require approximately 7.2 GW of interconnector capacity and 23 GW of renewable power installations.
This includes:
- 13.5 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV)
- 9.5 GW of onshore wind
These installations are estimated to require an investment of over $27.5 billion.
If all generated power is transferred to Europe, these connections could supply 55 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, equating to 1.6 per cent of Europe’s total power generation.
This has the potential to displace about 6 per cent of Europe’s fossil fuel-based energy.
North Africa’s renewable energy sector is rapidly developing, with more than 350 GW of solar and wind projects in various stages of development.
The region is home to some of the largest solar and wind installations globally, including Egypt’s Benban solar complex and the Gabal El Zeit wind farm.
Nivedh Das Thaikoottathil, Senior Analyst at Rystad Energy, noted: “North Africa’s renewable energy potential aligns well with Europe’s aim to cut reliance on Russian gas. The geographic proximity makes it ideal for partnerships, with solar and wind projects linked by subsea cables across the Mediterranean.”
Despite the promising outlook, the timely completion of renewable energy projects in North Africa faces several challenges.
These include spply chain constraints, limited local manufacturing capacity, and potential shortages in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables.
However, these challenges also present opportunities for investment and collaboration between Europe and North Africa.
As the two regions work together to expand subsea interconnections and develop renewable projects, their energy partnership is set to strengthen, fostering long-term sustainability and economic growth.
As Europe continues its push towards a greener future, North Africa’s vast solar and wind potential will play a crucial role in meeting the continent’s renewable energy goals and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
