UK-based Xlinks plans to build 10.5 GW of wind and solar in Morocco and sell electricity in the UK. London-based investment firm Octopus Energy said it worked with project developer Xlinks to help it move forward with construction.

UK-based investment firm Octopus Energy has signed an agreement with UK developer Xlinks to develop a 10.5 GW wind-solar project in Morocco and connect the facility to the UK power system via an undersea cable.

Octopus Energy said: "Xlinks will accelerate the UK's transition to net zero by laying four 3800km long submarine cables linking a huge renewable energy farm in the Moroccan desert to Devon in south west England. Will supply the UK with 3.6 GW of reliable clean electricity, averaging 20 hours a day, enough to power around 7 million heat pumps throughout the year, and the Xlinks project is expected to sell power for £48/MWh.

The partnership is helmed by a team of energy experts and business entrepreneurs, including Chairman Sir Dave Lewis, Chief Executive Simon Morrish and Project Director Nigel Williams, who oversee connecting the UK and Norway The North SeaLink, the world's longest subsea interconnect, was delivered on time and under budget. Octopus Energy claims to be the fourth largest energy company in the UK. It is also one of the largest renewable energy investors in Europe. Keywords: engineering construction, engineering news

Xlinks CEO Simon Morrish revealed details of the ambitious project. The huge complex will be connected by high voltage direct current to the UK grid (HVDC) transmission lines at Alfred Scott in Devon, Wales and Pembroke. This will consist of four separate cables and will be the longest subsea power transmission link in the world. The company plans to sell electricity to the UK grid under a contract for difference (CfD) scheme.Editor/XingWentao