North Africa: A Key Energy Source for Europe

• North Africa's renewable energy potential: A game-changer for Europe's power landscape, promising 24 GW through strategic interconnections and a greener future by 2035!

North Africa has the potential to supply Europe with up to 24 GW of electricity through subsea interconnections, according to a Rystad Energy report. By 2035, it's projected that clean energy sources will provide 73% of Europe’s electricity. Currently, Morocco is connected to Spain through two high-voltage cables, with plans for a third. Notable projects include the Xlinks initiative for a 3.6-GW link between the UK and Morocco, as well as the GREGY project connecting Greece and Egypt and the ELMED-TUNITA link between Tunisia and Italy.

These initiatives could deploy 7.2 GW of interconnector capacity and 23 GW of renewable energy in North Africa, requiring over $27.5 billion in investment. The report estimates these projects could generate around 55 TWh annually, contributing about 1.6% to Europe’s power generation. Rystad analyst Nivedh Das Thaikoottathil highlights North Africa's renewable assets as a strategic fit for Europe’s shift away from Russian gas, offering a balanced energy supply with wind and solar resources complementing each other throughout the year.

How can North Africa contribute 24 GW of electricity to help Europe’s energy transition?

Here are several ways North Africa can contribute 24 GW of electricity to help Europe’s energy transition:

• Abundant Renewable Resources: North Africa has significant solar and wind potential due to its geographical advantages. The region receives high solar irradiance and has favorable wind conditions, making it an ideal location for large-scale renewable energy projects.
• Interconnecting Infrastructure Development: Expanding and modernizing existing interconnections between North Africa and Europe can facilitate the efficient transfer of energy. This includes enhancing current high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links and building new interconnectors to increase capacity.
• Investment in Grid Technology: Upgrading grid infrastructure with advanced technology to enhance efficiency and reliability can support larger-scale energy exports. This can help stabilize electricity supply and optimize the integration of renewable energy sources.
• Government Policies and Cooperation: Cooperation among North African countries and between them and European nations can lead to supportive policies, regulatory frameworks, and integrated energy markets that encourage investment in renewable projects.
• Diverse Energy Mix: By leveraging multiple renewable sources (solar, wind, and hydro), North Africa can provide a consistent energy supply. The complementary nature of solar energy during sunny days and wind energy during other seasons can help balance energy output.
• Energy Storage Solutions: Investments in energy storage technologies, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, can help mitigate the intermittency of renewable energy sources, ensuring a reliable supply for export to Europe.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between governments and private firms can drive innovation and funding for renewable energy projects. These partnerships can enhance efficiency and bring in the necessary technological expertise.
• Sustainable Development Goals: Aligning energy projects with international sustainability goals can attract global investments, improve regional energy security, and bolster North Africa’s economy through job creation in the green energy sector.
• Hydrogen Production Potential: North Africa can explore green hydrogen production—using renewable energy to convert water into hydrogen—creating a new form of energy export that could be vital for Europe’s decarbonization strategy.
• Resiliency and Flexibility in Energy Supply: North Africa’s strategic location allows it to act as a bridge between Europe and Africa, providing a diversified energy supply that enhances Europe’s energy security amid global energy market fluctuations.
• Research and Development Initiatives: Investing in R&D can lead to innovations in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure, ensuring North Africa remains at the forefront of the energy transition while supporting European needs.
• Regional Economic Drivers: The development of renewable energy can enhance local economies through job creation, infrastructure development, and energy access, leading to broader socio-economic benefits in North Africa.

By capitalizing on these areas, North Africa can significantly bolster Europe's energy transition efforts while also fostering economic growth and stability in the region.