Casablanca – Portugal and Morocco are advancing discussions over a potential electricity interconnection that could strengthen energy security, improve the resilience of electricity networks on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, and deepen energy cooperation between Europe and North Africa.

The proposal has attracted renewed attention following the widespread blackout that affected the Iberian Peninsula in April 2025, an event that exposed vulnerabilities in the region’s electricity system and reinforced the need for stronger cross-border energy connections. Portuguese authorities view additional interconnections as an important step toward improving grid stability, reducing dependence on a single external partner, and supporting the growing integration of renewable energy.

According to Portuguese officials, the two countries are examining the feasibility of establishing a direct electricity link. Discussions are expected to focus on the technical, economic, and strategic aspects of the project before any decision is taken regarding its implementation.

Authorities indicated that the first phase will involve a comprehensive cost-benefit assessment to determine whether the project would provide sufficient long-term value. The initiative remains at an exploratory stage, and no final agreement or construction timetable has been announced.

The proposed connection would build on the existing electricity interconnections between Morocco and Spain, which already enable power exchanges across the Strait of Gibraltar and have positioned Morocco as an important energy bridge between Africa and Europe. A future link with Portugal would expand these regional connections while providing an additional route for electricity imports and exports.

The discussions come in response to lessons learned from the April 2025 blackout, during which Portugal relied almost entirely on Spain for external electricity support. Because the disruption originated within the Spanish electricity network, Portugal had to wait until Spain restored its own system before electricity assistance could be delivered through the existing interconnection.

Energy experts have noted that while cross-border electricity links cannot prevent blackouts, they can significantly reduce recovery times by allowing electricity to be supplied from neighboring systems during emergencies. Additional interconnections also help diversify energy sources and strengthen the overall resilience of interconnected power networks.

For Portugal, the proposed project would reduce dependence on a single cross-border electricity connection while improving flexibility during periods of high demand, lower domestic generation, or unexpected network disruptions. Diversification has become an increasingly important objective as renewable energy accounts for a growing share of electricity production.

The transition toward cleaner energy has made electricity systems more complex. Unlike conventional thermal power plants, renewable sources such as solar and wind generate electricity according to weather conditions, increasing the need for flexible transmission networks, energy storage technologies, and stronger international interconnections capable of balancing fluctuations in supply and demand.

Following the Iberian blackout, Portugal announced an investment program valued at approximately $412 million to strengthen its electricity infrastructure. The plan includes upgrading grid management systems, expanding battery storage capacity, improving network monitoring and control technologies, and reinforcing facilities capable of independently restarting sections of the electricity grid after a major outage.

The country has also increased the number of power plants equipped with independent “Black Start” capability from two to four, improving its ability to restore electricity more rapidly during large-scale disruptions.

The discussions with Morocco are taking place alongside broader European efforts to improve electricity integration across the continent. The Iberian Peninsula remains one of the least interconnected regions within the European electricity market. Current interconnection capacity with neighboring countries represents only about 3% of installed electricity capacity, significantly below the European Union’s target of reaching 15% by 2030.

Portugal and Spain have repeatedly called for greater European investment in electricity infrastructure, arguing that stronger cross-border connections are becoming increasingly important as renewable energy expands across the continent and electricity markets become more integrated.

Several infrastructure projects are already planned to strengthen electricity exchanges between Spain and France. A new submarine interconnection through the Bay of Biscay is expected to become operational in 2028, increasing electricity exchange capacity between the two countries from approximately 2.8 gigawatts to 5 gigawatts.

Additional interconnection projects across the Pyrenees are also under consideration and could eventually increase total exchange capacity to around 8 gigawatts, although these developments remain subject to financing, regulatory approval, and environmental assessments.

For Morocco, the proposed connection represents another opportunity to reinforce its position as a regional energy hub linking African and European electricity markets. The kingdom has expanded investments in renewable energy over the past decade, particularly in solar and wind generation, while strengthening its electricity infrastructure and regional energy partnerships.

The country’s existing electricity links with Spain have already demonstrated the value of cross-border cooperation by facilitating electricity exchanges that support grid stability and operational flexibility. A future connection with Portugal could further diversify regional electricity flows and create additional opportunities for renewable electricity trade between Africa and Europe.

The project also aligns with the broader energy cooperation framework established between Morocco and Portugal in recent years, particularly in renewable energy development and electricity exchange. These initiatives reflect the two countries’ shared interest in strengthening regional energy integration and supporting the transition toward lower-carbon electricity systems.

Although the proposal remains under evaluation, it reflects a broader trend toward expanding cross-border electricity infrastructure across Europe and North Africa. As countries seek to improve energy security, strengthen the resilience of their electricity networks, and accommodate higher levels of renewable generation, additional interconnections are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting reliable, flexible, and integrated regional power systems.