Efforts to create intercontinental energy grids are gaining momentum as countries seek to accelerate the global green transition by connecting regions rich in renewable resources with those lacking sufficient clean energy capacity. A prime example is the Morocco-U.K. Power Project, where a 4,000 km subsea cable will transmit solar and wind power from Morocco—an area with double the solar intensity of the U.K.—to millions of British homes. The project, spearheaded by Xlinks, involves a vast solar, wind, and battery farm in Morocco’s Tan-Tan Province and is slated to begin operations in the 2030s.
This initiative is part of a broader trend of building large-scale intercontinental energy grids. Africa’s abundant solar potential is being harnessed to support energy needs in Europe, especially in regions like Central and Northern Europe, which are less suited for solar production due to limited sun exposure. Countries such as Greece and Egypt are pursuing the GREGY project, a €4.2 billion investment to construct a bi-directional submarine electricity cable capable of transferring 3 GW of electricity annually. Similarly, Italy and Tunisia are advancing the ELMED-TUNITA project, a 220 km subsea cable to carry 600 MW of power across the Strait of Sicily.
These projects highlight the technical and regulatory complexity involved in creating intercontinental energy grids. Different countries have unique standards and infrastructure needs, requiring extensive international cooperation and investment. Yet, the promise of greater energy security and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, especially Russian natural gas, continues to drive these ambitious developments.
One of the most forward-looking projects is the North Atlantic Transmission One-Link (NATO-L), aiming to connect North America and Western Europe via a 6 GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable spanning 3,500 km across the Atlantic Ocean. Still in early stages, the project could take 10 to 15 years to realize, but if successful, it would represent a monumental leap in long-distance renewable energy sharing. The collaboration involves Laurent Segalen (Megawatt-X), Gerard Reid (Alexa Capital), and Simon Ludlam (Etchea Energy), who are working on the technological and logistical frameworks necessary to make such a project viable.
Asia is also making strides toward regional clean energy connectivity. Countries like Laos and Indonesia possess vast renewable energy resources—hydropower and solar, respectively—while others, like Singapore, face resource limitations. Projects like the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) and the Borneo-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Power Interconnection Project (BIMP-PIP) are early steps toward regional integration. Azis Armand, CEO of Indika Energy, emphasized that building integrated energy frameworks is vital for sustainable development, energy equity, and environmental resilience across Southeast Asia.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Long-distance, high-capacity interconnections are still in development and require both time and significant financial investment. Yet, the vision of intercontinental energy grids continues to inspire global collaboration. By linking diverse energy markets and optimizing the use of renewable resources across borders, these grids have the potential to reshape the global energy landscape and significantly advance the world’s transition to sustainable power.
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Rise-of-Intercontinental-Energy-Grids.html