Casablanca – Morocco has entered a new operational phase in one of its most ambitious energy infrastructure projects, as the Office national de l’électricité et de l’eau potable (ONEE) begins topographical studies for the future Ultra High Voltage (UHV) transmission corridor linking the southern provinces to central Morocco.
The project, widely known as the “South–Central electric highway,” is designed to transport up to 3,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity generated in the southern regions toward major consumption hubs in the center of the country. With this step, the initiative moves from planning and contractual structuring toward concrete field preparation.
Nearly 2,000 kilometers of transmission infrastructure
The newly launched studies focus on securing the optimal route for two parallel UHV transmission lines, each approximately 1,000 kilometers long, bringing the total network length under review to nearly 2,000 kilometers.
The corridor under examination extends 50 meters on both sides of the planned transmission axis. This phase includes:
- Field reconnaissance and terrain analysis
- Identification of geographical and urban constraints
- Precise topographical surveys
- Physical marking of the alignment on the ground
- Legal assessment of affected land parcels
- Preparation of technical documentation for construction
- Evaluation of potential agricultural impacts
In addition to the transmission lines themselves, the studies also cover the sites designated for future electrical substations that will ensure integration into the national grid.
To facilitate implementation, the project has been divided into two independent segments:
- Oued Lakraâ (Boujdour) – Tan Tan
- Tan Tan – Marrakech
Specialized firms may bid for one or both sections, allowing flexibility while maintaining project momentum.
Strategic objective: moving renewable energy at scale
The South–Central electric highway responds to a structural challenge within Morocco’s energy system: the geographical imbalance between renewable energy production and electricity demand.
Southern Morocco has experienced rapid growth in solar and wind capacity, supported by favorable climatic conditions and increasing private and public investment. However, electricity consumption remains concentrated in central and northern regions.
The new UHV infrastructure is therefore intended to:
- Facilitate large-scale evacuation of renewable electricity
- Strengthen national grid stability
- Improve supply security
- Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels
- Support Morocco’s long-term climate commitments
Once completed, the infrastructure will be capable of transporting up to 3,000 MW of clean energy from the southern provinces toward central Morocco.
Phased commissioning through 2028
The project is structured in two main phases:
- Phase one: 1,500 MW, expected to become operational in 2026
- Phase two: 1,500 MW, scheduled for commissioning by 2028
This progressive approach allows for staged integration into the national grid while aligning with the expansion of renewable generation capacity in the southern regions.
Upon completion, operation of the transmission line will be ensured by ONEE, reinforcing its role as the backbone operator of Morocco’s electricity transmission system.
Public–private partnership framework
In May 2025, the construction contract for the electric highway—covering approximately 1,400 kilometers in its core execution phase—was awarded to a consortium bringing together:
- Fonds Mohammed VI pour l’investissement
- Taqa Morocco
- Nareva
The consortium signed framework agreements with the State and ONEE covering broader energy and water infrastructure cooperation.
Beyond the transmission line itself, the partnership includes plans for:
- Development of an additional 1,200 MW of renewable generation capacity
- Expansion of electricity and water transport infrastructure
- Construction of seawater desalination facilities
- Integration of natural gas-based generation where required
This integrated model reflects a wider strategy that combines electricity transmission, renewable production, and water infrastructure development.
Regulatory and market context
The project advances amid ongoing reforms in Morocco’s electricity market. The national regulatory authority recently set the tariff for surplus renewable electricity generated by self-producers for the 2026–2027 period at:
- $0.0022 per kWh during peak hours
- $0.0019 per kWh during off-peak hours
This pricing mechanism aims to encourage renewable integration while ensuring better grid management and market stability.
The electric highway is therefore not an isolated infrastructure project. It forms part of a broader transformation of Morocco’s energy model—one that seeks greater sustainability, diversification, and resilience.
A structural shift in transmission capacity
Energy demand in Morocco continues to grow steadily, driven by industrial expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development. At the same time, the country is accelerating its renewable energy ambitions, particularly in solar and wind power.
The South–Central electric highway represents a structural upgrade in transmission capacity, enabling the grid to handle higher volumes of intermittent renewable generation. By connecting production zones in the south with demand centers in the middle of the country, the project addresses both technical and strategic priorities.
With topographical studies now underway, attention will turn to the timely completion of preparatory work and the transition to the construction phase. Meeting the 2026 deadline for the first 1,500 MW segment will be a critical milestone.
If executed according to schedule, the South–Central electric highway is expected to become one of Morocco’s most transformative energy infrastructures of the decade, reinforcing grid stability, accelerating renewable integration, and strengthening national energy security for the years ahead.
