Madrid and Rabat Collaborate to Enhance Electrical Interconnection
On April 24, 2026, Morocco and Spain embarked on a technical review of their underwater electrical interconnection, a routine operation that underscores Morocco's accelerating ambitions to export electricity to Europe. The collaboration is primarily spearheaded by the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) from Morocco and Spain's Red Eléctrica, who have initiated an international procedure aimed at inspecting the underwater cables that link the two sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. This initiative is reported to be crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of electrical exchanges between the nations.
The ongoing operation entails a comprehensive visual and structural examination of the existing interconnections that span between the Tarifa region in Spain and the northern coast of Morocco, situated at depths exceeding 600 meters. The procedure is divided into two phases: pre-selection and the submission of offers, with a clear focus on selecting the option that provides the best technical guarantees. Managed from Tangier, this effort is part of the regular maintenance protocols for a vital infrastructure that has facilitated stable electric exchanges between the two countries for over three decades, with joint financing from both operators.
A Historic Infrastructure with Future Potential
The interconnection was established following an agreement in 1993, leading to the first underwater electrical link between two continents, which was officially operational by the late 1990s. This significant infrastructure has since become a crucial conduit for electricity flow between Morocco and Western Europe, necessitating regular supervision to ensure supply security and network stability in light of increasing cross-border exchanges.
The current procedure does not foresee the creation of new capacities but rather focuses on enhancing the reliability of existing installations. In a rapidly evolving energy landscape, this initiative is timely, as Europe shows renewed interest in electrical interconnections amid intensifying supply diversification strategies. Concurrently, discussions between Rabat and Paris are underway regarding the potential for a new direct underwater cable, often referred to as the Qantara Med project, designed to link Morocco directly to France, thus bypassing the Iberian Peninsula and potentially reshaping electricity transport routes to the European market.
Simultaneously, Spain is advancing its own projects in the Strait region, including an electrical connection between Ceuta and the mainland, aimed at bolstering the resilience of its energy system. Despite these developments, the current interconnection remains pivotal. As Morocco continues to enhance its renewable energy capacities, particularly in solar and wind energy, this existing link serves as a foundational channel for electricity exchanges with Europe. In the short term, the technical upgrades undertaken by Rabat and Madrid aim to secure this vital asset, while in the long term, they are part of a broader strategy that may redefine Morocco's role in energy flows towards Europe, in line with ongoing project evaluations.
As reported by fr.hespress.com.
