Latest news with #Xlinks
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Xlinks withdraws UK application for $34bln Morocco‑UK power interconnection project
UK-based Xlinks has officially withdrawn its application for a £25 billion ($34 billion) Morocco–UK power interconnection project, after the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) decided not to advance a Contract for Difference (CfD) scheme to back the initiative, Moroccan news website reported last week. In a letter submitted to the British Planning Inspectorate on 1 July, the company stated it was formally withdrawing the application submitted in November 2024, which was accepted for examination in December 2024, said in its report. The mega project aimed to deliver 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of despatchable solar, wind, and battery energy from Morocco to the UK through a 4,000 km subsea high-voltage cable. Reuters had reported on 26 June that the UK government backed out of the project after deeming it to be not in the national interest due to a lack of alignment with the government's strategic objective to prioritise domestically generated energy. Xlinks, chaired by Sir Dave Lewis, had expressed 'huge surprise and bitter disappointment' at the government's decision to walk away from a designated 'Nationally Significant Project.' In a statement published on Xlinks website, Lewis had said the project garnered over £100 million of funding from top energy firms for project development while lender demand to participate in the construction phase exceeds the company's requirements. Investors in the interconnection project included US-based GE Vernova, the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. (TAQA), France's TotalEnergies SE and the UK's Octopus Energy. A Final Investment Decision (FID) was expected this year. 'We are now working to unlock the potential of the project and maximise its value for all parties in a different way,' Lewis said in the statement without further elaboration. According to the Xlinks statement, the project has been designed to reduce wholesale electricity prices by over 9 percent in its first year; bring in £20 billion of socio-economic value, including a £5 billion injection into the UK's green industries; provide 8 percent of the UK's electricity; cut power sector CO2 emissions by nearly10 percent in its first year; and increase energy security through increased diversity of supply and reduced reliance on imported gas. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Ya Biladi
04-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Xlinks officially withdraws UK application for Morocco-UK energy cable
Xlinks has officially withdrawn its application for its MAD 310 billion (£25 billion) renewable energy project, which aimed to supply solar and wind power from Morocco to the UK via a 4,000-kilometre undersea cable. In a letter submitted to the British Planning Inspectorate on July 1, the company stated it was «formally withdrawing the application submitted in November 2024, which was accepted for examination in December 2024». This move follows a recent announcement by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which said it was «no longer considering a negotiated Contract for Difference (CfD) for the Project». The CfD mechanism would have guaranteed a minimum price for electricity imported via the Morocco-UK cable. Xlinks explained that due to the current «changes», it does «not believe that proceeding with the Examination at this stage is advisable». Last week, Xlinks Chair Sir Dave Lewis said he was «surprised and bitterly disappointed» by the government's decision to walk away from the project. The company had anticipated the shift in government position. In May, it requested a temporary pause in its Development Consent Order (DCO) application, a critical step for large infrastructure projects, while awaiting clarity on the CfD process. Xlinks had also expressed frustration over delays in receiving UK government backing, warning it might shift the initiative to another country. For the record, The Morocco–UK Power Project aims to deliver 3.6 GW of dispatchable clean energy from solar, wind, and battery installations in Morocco. It was expected to reduce UK carbon emissions by 10% and cut wholesale electricity prices by 9.3%.
Ya Biladi
03-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
UK officially drops Morocco-UK Xlinks cable project, saying it's not in its «national interest»
The British government has officially withdrawn support for Xlinks' MAD 310 billion (£25 billion) renewable energy project, which aimed to supply solar and wind power from Morocco to the UK via a 4,000-kilometre undersea cable. The decision, which had already surfaced in the British press before its formal announcement, was confirmed by Energy Minister Michael Shanks in a written statement to Parliament on Thursday. «The government has concluded that it is not in the UK's national interest at this time to continue further consideration of support for the Morocco-UK Power Project», he stated. Shanks added that the project no longer aligns with the UK's strategic objective of strengthening domestic energy production. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) also confirmed the decision, stating it would no longer consider a Contract for Difference (CfD) for the project—a mechanism that guarantees a minimum price for electricity generated, Xlinks said. Xlinks «bitterly disappointed» Reacting to the news, Xlinks Chair Sir Dave Lewis said the company was «surprised and bitterly disappointed» by the government's decision to walk away from «an opportunity to unlock the substantial value that a large-scale renewable energy project like this would bring». Lewis underscored that the project «requires no upfront government investment» and had offered a «highly competitive CfD strike price». He added that the international investment community had recognized the project's potential, with over 1.25 billion Moroccan dirhams (£100 million) already invested by major energy players. «Most importantly, Morocco—a world leader in renewable energy—recognizes the strategic value of interconnections», Lewis noted, adding that Xlinks now has «no choice but to accept DESNZ's decision» and will work «to unlock the potential of the project and maximize its value for all parties in a different way». Xlinks had already anticipated the government's change in stance, warning it may shift focus to other countries if UK support fell through. In May, the company requested a temporary pause in its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), a key step for major infrastructure projects, while awaiting clarity on its CfD bid. For the record, the Morocco-UK Power Project aims to deliver 3.6 GW of dispatchable clean energy from solar, wind, and battery facilities in Morocco. It was expected to reduce UK carbon emissions by 10% and lower wholesale electricity prices by 9.3%. The project was included in the UK's energy strategy in 2022 and recognized as a nationally significant infrastructure project in 2023.
MTV Lebanon
03-07-2025
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
'Major setback' for Morocco power cable link plan
The government has said it will not support a controversial plan to bring renewable energy to the UK from Morocco through subsea cables that would come ashore in Devon. Those behind the Xlinks project said they were "bitterly disappointed", adding the scheme had the potential to "provide 8% of the UK's electricity needs". Concerns had been raised over the potential disruption of the project on those living close to the proposed 14km (8.5 mile) onshore underground cable route. "It's a major setback," said Johnny Gowdy, director at Regen, a not-for-profit organisation supporting the transition to a net-zero energy future. The government said it made the decision after "careful consideration". A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) spokesperson said: "After careful consideration, we have decided not to support the Xlinks Morocco-UK power project. "We are grateful to the project developers for their innovative proposal. We will continue to work with Morocco and are committed to strengthening our partnership." Xlinks had requested government support for the project, including a Contract for Difference (CfD), which would guarantee a set price per MWh of electricity. In a written ministerial statement on 26 June, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the scheme was "not in the UK national interest at this time" and "does not clearly align strategically with the government's mission to build homegrown power here in the UK". The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project proposed using subsea cables to bring renewable wind and solar power from Morocco to the village of Alverdiscott. Under the proposals, four cables would be buried onshore over a period of up to two years. A new electricity substation would also be built next to an existing substation at Alverdiscott, along with two new converter stations, on a site of about 32 hectares (79 acres). If planning permission was granted, the construction work in Devon would take six years. The project already has a 3.6GW connection agreement with National Grid and was designated as a project of National Significance by the previous Conservative government in 2023. Xlinks said the scheme could provide enough electricity to power seven million homes.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Major setback' for Morocco-Devon power cable link plan
The government has said it will not support a controversial plan to bring renewable energy to the UK from Morocco through subsea cables that would come ashore in Devon. Those behind the Xlinks project said they were "bitterly disappointed", adding the scheme had the potential to "provide 8% of the UK's electricity needs".Concerns had been raised over the potential disruption of the project on those living close to the proposed 14km (8.5 mile) onshore underground cable route."It's a major setback," said Johnny Gowdy, director at Regen, a not-for-profit organisation supporting the transition to a net-zero energy future. The government said it made the decision after "careful consideration". A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) spokesperson said: "After careful consideration, we have decided not to support the Xlinks Morocco-UK power project."We are grateful to the project developers for their innovative proposal. We will continue to work with Morocco and are committed to strengthening our partnership."Xlinks had requested government support for the project, including a Contract for Difference (CfD), which would guarantee a set price per MWh of electricity. In a written ministerial statement on 26 June, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the scheme was "not in the UK national interest at this time" and "does not clearly align strategically with the government's mission to build homegrown power here in the UK". The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project proposed using subsea cables to bring renewable wind and solar power from Morocco to the village of the proposals, four cables would be buried onshore over a period of up to two years.A new electricity substation would also be built next to an existing substation at Alverdiscott, along with two new converter stations, on a site of about 32 hectares (79 acres).If planning permission was granted, the construction work in Devon would take six project already has a 3.6GW connection agreement with National Grid and was designated as a project of National Significance by the previous Conservative government in said the scheme could provide enough electricity to power seven million homes. Local resident Adam Bridge said he was "overjoyed" at the news that the government had decided not to back the scheme. "We're still worried it might happen though", he added. "If it does go ahead, we'll be living right in the middle of a building site for years." Xlinks said any work would be phased over time and planned in a way to minimise impact to the local community as far as possible. Johnny Gowdy said it was a "major setback", adding: "It's very difficult to see how the project will progress without government support."The DESNZ has clearly said this doesn't align with its strategic plans for homegrown energy."That said, Xlinks are looking at what other options there may be." Sir Dave Lewis, chair of the the XLINKS Morocco-UK Power Project, said: "We are hugely surprised and bitterly disappointed that the UK government would choose to walk away from an opportunity to unlock the substantial value that a large-scale renewable energy project like this would bring."He added: "Ultimately, we have no choice but to accept DESNZ's decision. "We are now working to unlock the potential of the project and maximise its value for all parties in a different way."
