The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is set to take a strategic step in the Kingdom’s energy integration. A new electrical connection linking Boujdour to Marrakech will soon be launched, completing the major Dakhla–Casablanca electrical highway project and enhancing the transport of renewable energy produced in southern Morocco.
A Key Infrastructure for Renewable Energy
Scheduled for a construction duration of two and a half years, the Boujdour–Marrakech line will connect the solar and wind farms of the Sahara to the main consumption centers in the country’s interior. This project is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at supporting the growth of energy demand and fostering the expansion of renewable energies in the region. A tender is expected to be issued in the coming days.
Currently, the southern high-voltage network transports over 1,500 MW via 225 kV and 400 kV lines. A new double-circuit 400 kV line, under construction, is expected to be operational by mid-2026, adding 900 MW of capacity, particularly for the Dakhla parks and the Aftissat expansion.
Context of South-Central Energy Projects
The 1,400 km Dakhla–Casablanca electrical highway will be developed as a public-private partnership (PPP) between ONEE and a Moroccan-Emirati consortium that includes Taqa Morocco, Nareva, and the Mohammed VI Investment Fund. This infrastructure will facilitate the transport of electricity from the Sahara’s wind and solar farms to major consumption basins and will support the national energy transition.
To date, the network already serves several wind farms: Tarfaya (300 MW), Boujdour (300 MW), Foum El Oued (50.6 MW), Aftissat (400 MW), Akhfennir (200 MW), and the desalination plant in Dakhla (60 MW), as well as solar power plants in Boujdour (20 MW) and Laâyoune (85 MW). However, the saturation of existing lines makes these new connections essential to meet growing demands and secure the energy supply for the center and south of the Kingdom.
A Dynamic for Regional Development
Beyond energy, these strategic projects will contribute to economic and tourism development by promoting the integration of Saharan territories with the rest of Morocco. They also reflect the desire to modernize the national electrical network to support the Kingdom’s competitiveness and energy sovereignty.
In summary, the Boujdour–Marrakech line marks a significant step in Morocco’s energy integration, combining innovation, sustainable development, and the strengthening of renewable energy production and transport capabilities.