World’s Longest Clean Energy Cable Will Travel From Morocco To The UK Underwater
Image via Xlinks
The world’s longest-ever subsea cables are being built to run from Morocco to the UK, bringing 1.8 GW of clean energy to the nation. This “trip” will see the cables pass Spain, Portugal, and France on the way.
Eco-friendly energy will be sourced by a 10.5 GW solar and wind farm in Morocco’s Guelmim-Oued Noun region, as part of the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project.
In an amazing example of engineering, the cables will ultimately occupy an area of 579 square miles on the Moroccan end, before extending 2,361 miles to the UK.
Xlinks—a UK-based renewable energy company—will be heading this gargantuan US$21.9 billion feat. The firm claims the project will help power over seven million homes in the country by 2030.
According to Electrek, the first underwater cable is expected to be ready by 2027, with the remaining three set to launch in 2029.
Morocco, which may seem like a far-flung place, was chosen because of its ideal location. Xlinks explained: “Morocco benefits from ideal solar and wind resources, required to develop renewable projects that could guarantee suitable power production through the year… The shortest winter day still offers more than 10 hours of sunlight.”
The ambitious plan is certainly a step in the right direction, especially as part of the UK’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. But will such long undersea cables work as expected? We’ll have to see.
For learn more about the project, head here.
[via Electrek, cover image via Xlinks]
Also check out these recent news
