Portugal has officially announced its commitment to the electricity interconnection project with Morocco to enhance its energy independence.
The Portuguese government has decided to proceed with the implementation of the electricity interconnection project with Morocco, with an investment of around 400 million euros. This strategic move aims to diversify energy sources and strengthen the country’s energy independence amid global challenges related to energy security.
This project is expected to mark a qualitative leap in transcontinental energy cooperation, particularly with the increasing demand for renewable energies and smart storage solutions.
Portuguese Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, affirmed that this interconnection is a strategic option that follows the setbacks of previous interconnection projects with France, prompting Portugal to seek new partners in the southern Mediterranean. She clarified that Morocco is now a reliable energy partner, thanks to its substantial capacity to generate electricity from renewable sources, particularly solar and wind energy.
The minister highlighted that the interconnection with Morocco will complement an ambitious national plan to increase electricity storage capacity from the current 13 megawatts to 750 megawatts, through investments directed towards batteries and intelligent flow control systems within the national grid. She added that the project will enable Portugal to boost its electricity exports during surplus periods, while importing low-cost Moroccan electricity during peak times.
The minister noted that the energy partnership with Morocco will not be limited to infrastructure but will extend into advanced fields such as green hydrogen and grid integration with the rest of Europe through Spain, as part of a comprehensive vision to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. She considered that Morocco represents a reliable geopolitical option, enhancing Portugal’s positioning in the ongoing global energy transitions.
