After the major power outage that shook the Iberian Peninsula at the end of April, Portugal is now exploring an option that has been little prioritized until now: a direct electrical interconnection with Morocco. This is a path that Lisbon is considering with increasing interest, as projects for connections with France struggle to advance.
In a recent statement, Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal’s Minister of Environment and Energy, acknowledged the strategic importance of such a project. She indicated that this connection, although more expensive, could offer a credible alternative in light of the repeated delays in infrastructure with the French network. The topic was also discussed in Brussels during a meeting with the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen.
This meeting resulted in the submission of a joint letter from Portugal and Spain, co-signed by the Spanish Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen. The two countries expressed their frustration over the energy isolation of the peninsula, referred to as an “energy island,” and called for a tripartite summit with France to define a concrete roadmap.
It is no coincidence that Morocco is now seen as a potential partner. During the blackout in April, it was the Morocco-Spain interconnection that helped accelerate the restoration of the network in Spain, indirectly supporting Portugal. This demonstrated the effectiveness of a denser trans-Mediterranean network.
Maria da Graça Carvalho emphasized that the lack of strong links with the European network had considerably slowed recovery efforts. An active connection with France would have allowed for a quicker and smoother resumption of power, according to her.
Beyond short-term issues, Lisbon and Madrid warn against the consequences of insufficient energy integration. The lack of connections undermines the profitability of renewable energies, weakens supply security, and puts pressure on electricity prices. That is why both capitals advocate for energy interconnection to become a European strategic priority, surpassing mere national considerations.