Morocco and Portugal revive electrical interconnection project, seek EU funding
via Le Matin3 min read
Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, and Portugal's Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Gra莽a Carvalho, announced their countries' intention to relaunch an electrical interconnection project. The initiative aims to reduce energy costs and improve affordability for citizens and economic sectors in both nations. The two parties agreed to pursue European funding and explore private sector participation. Lisbon and Rabat plan to ask the European Commission to classify the project as a Project of Common Interest PCI, which would enable it to access European financing mechanisms. They will present the project to Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a clean, just, and competitive transition, to assess EU interest in prioritizing it. The ministers believe a new electrical interconnection between Europe and Africa would enhance energy security and strengthen cooperation between the continents. Morocco and Portugal will consult with the European Commission to gauge its support and recognition of the project as strategically European. Concurrently, they will seek funding from the "Connecting Europe" mechanism and invite private investors, including electricity grid managers and utility companies, to express interest. The Portuguese minister emphasized achieving the project at the lowest possible cost to avoid additional burdens on taxpayers or energy consumers. However, the specific technical soluti
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