Renewable energy is a topic that has become increasingly important in recent years in almost all countries of the world. This is Solar, wind or fusion energyInvestments in the region are increasing as countries look for alternative ways to combat climate change and its effects.
Now British startup Xlinks is building a model It aims to transmit renewable solar and wind power from Morocco to the UK via a submarine cable. — sounds like an almost impossible idea, but the company is already moving forward with the plan.
Xlinks announced a project to collect renewable electricity in the Guelmim Oued Noun area in southern Morocco. Delivery to the United Kingdom will be made via Submarine cables running through Portuguese, Spanish and French waters – These cables will be deployed about 3,800 kilometers under the sea. The company plans to bring electricity to the village of Alvertiscod, where they envisage interconnection with the national grid.
In a message to the website Financial TimesXlinks CEO Sir Dave Lewis notes Project costs are estimated at between £20 billion and £22 billion. To date, they’ve only managed to raise £45m in investment rounds, but they’ll raise all the money; According to Claire Coutinho, the United Kingdom’s energy secretary, the project is of ‘national importance’.
“The proposed plan will play a key role in implementing an energy system that meets the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and the Government’s objectives of creating a secure, reliable and affordable energy supply for consumers,” he said.
Constant power through submarine cable?
Xlinks says it will collect 7 gigawatts (GW) of energy from a solar farm and 3.5 GW from wind turbines, making it possible to power more than seven million UK homes by 2030. A total of 10.5 GW provides about 8% capacity. All the electricity needed to power the country.
The red line shows the length of the submarine cable that will bring renewable energy from Morocco to the United Kingdom.Source: Xlinks
Although such schemes have failed in recent years, there is one success story in the country. In 2021, an interconnected submarine cable between the United Kingdom and Norway becomes operational; Both countries resort to importing energy at peak times.
However, it is important to highlight that the startup still has a lot of work to do, as it needs to raise billions of pounds to build a powerful submarine cable; In conclusion, It is believed to be the longest underwater high voltage cable in the world. Fortunately, this could be a big step towards accelerating the energy transition process in the UK to increasingly increase the use of clean energy.
“This is an important milestone for our project, providing certainty and clarity on the legal process and timeline for project approval. This decision reflects the real difference our project will make to the country’s climate responsibilities and conservation potential,” said Xlinks CEO, Simon Morrish.
Like the content? Stay up-to-date with more renewable energy curiosities here at TecMundo and if you like, take the opportunity to find out what green hydrogen is all about.
