Morocco and Germany are set to take a significant step in their energy partnership with Sila Atlantik, a colossal infrastructure project valued between €30 and €40 billion, aimed at producing renewable electricity in Morocco and exporting it to Europe, particularly Germany, via a long-distance underwater electrical interconnection.
The plan relies on the deployment of vast solar and wind capacities in Morocco, potentially reaching 15 gigawatts. At full capacity, these installations could generate approximately 26 terawatt-hours annually, which accounts for nearly 5% of Germany’s electricity needs. In the context of an accelerated energy transition in Europe, this volume would grant Morocco a strategic role in the continent’s energy security.
Electricity would be transmitted via a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable measuring about 4,800 kilometers. This infrastructure would cross the Atlantic and several European jurisdictions before being injected into the German grid. The project also envisions battery storage capacities to ensure a stable supply that could cover up to 20 hours daily, thereby minimizing the intermittency typical of renewable energy.
The political signal sent by Berlin marks a turning point. The support expressed by German authorities, through an official correspondence addressed to the Moroccan government, confirms the strategic interest in this interconnection. Major German energy groups, such as E.ON and Uniper, are already participating in discussions, while Deutsche Bahn is considering sourcing Moroccan green electricity to support its complete decarbonization by 2038.
However, before its realization, Sila Atlantik must overcome several regulatory and technical hurdles, including obtaining passage permissions in the relevant waters and compliance with European environmental standards. Project developers are also exploring the possibility of establishing an industrial unit in Germany dedicated to cable manufacturing, to secure the supply chain.
Beyond its industrial dimension, Sila Atlantik represents a broader geo-economic vision. For Morocco, it is about transforming its solar and wind potential into a lever of influence and investment. For Germany and the European Union, the project offers a structuring alternative in diversifying energy sources, reinforcing a Euro-African axis of clean electricity production.