France and Morocco are working on a high voltage undersea cable to link their power grids. This project could change how energy moves between Europe and North Africa, especially after Morocco’s failed UK deal.
France and Morocco are planning a high voltage undersea cable that could change the energy landscape of the western Mediterranean. The French Ministry of Economy outlined the plan in July 2026. It calls for a double submarine link with a total capacity of 2x1GW, connecting the two countries’ power grids under the sea. Several independent reports say this is part of a bigger French push for energy cooperation with Morocco. The goal is to build stronger ties across the Mediterranean.
Morocco tried to set up a similar connection with the United Kingdom, but that project fell apart in 2024. The UK government refused to guarantee the deal. The Morocco-UK Power Link would have run 3,800 kilometers and needed £21.9 billion in investment. It failed to get financing after the UK declined to back it with a contract for difference. The France-Morocco project is smaller and seen as more realistic. Right now, both sides are studying possible routes. There is no final investment decision or set budget yet, according to several industry sources.
Morocco is the only African country with two operational undersea electricity links to Europe, both running through the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain.
Morocco is now looking to France, the only other European country where a direct link makes sense. French officials are considering several landing points for the cable. These include Feuillane and Minéraliers in the industrial-port area of Fos-sur-Mer, and Néoules in Var. No final choice has been made. The project is still in early stages, with no confirmed financing or regulatory approval. The French Ministry of Economy says three 400 kV substations—Feuillane, Minéraliers, and Néoules—are being considered for the French side.
Morocco already stands out as the only African country with an electrical link to Europe. Two submarine cables run under the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain. The new project would strengthen Morocco’s role as a regional energy hub. It would also give France a direct line to North African power, which matters as both countries work toward energy transition goals. Independent analysts point out that the France-Morocco link is much smaller than the failed UK project, making it a more practical option.
The plan relies on high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. HVDC can move large amounts of electricity over long distances with low losses. This is the same approach the UK project used, but the France-Morocco link is shorter and would cost less. Sector reports say HVDC is the best choice for these kinds of intercontinental connections because it is efficient and reliable.
Some sources mention the Nador West Med port-industrial hub in Morocco as a possible starting point for the cable in alternative routing scenarios. This reflects Morocco's broader strategy to expand its export and maritime infrastructure, including new digital and energy links with Europe.
Morocco has not named its preferred landing site yet. The focus is on making the project efficient and fitting it into existing infrastructure. The cable is also part of Morocco’s push to become both an energy exporter and a digital hub. Other projects, like the Medusa subsea cable, show how Morocco is building its strategic position.
Energy cooperation between Europe and North Africa is not new. But the size and ambition of this project show a change in approach. As seen in recent coverage of cross-border projects, the region is shaped by complex ties in migration, trade, and energy. Independent European energy analysts say the current plan fits into a wider framework of Franco-Moroccan energy work, as set out in the French government’s 2026 cooperation agenda.
This plan stands out because it could bring real benefits to both sides of the Mediterranean. Morocco would get a new export route and a way to use its growing renewable energy sector. France would gain a direct link to North African energy and a backup to its existing European connections.
The project is still in the planning phase. Governments and industry are watching closely. The collapse of the Morocco-UK Power Link showed how these projects can fail without political and financial support. This time, the smaller scale and shared interests of France and Morocco make success more likely. If built, the undersea cable would be a major step for Euro-African energy cooperation—one based on practical goals, not big promises.
