By Ukumbi Afrika |
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
France and Morocco have launched a call for expressions of interest for a proposed electricity interconnection project that aims to transport renewable energy between North Africa and Europe, deepening bilateral energy cooperation and supporting regional energy integration.
France and Morocco have taken a significant step towards strengthening cross-border energy cooperation by launching a call for expressions of interest for a proposed electricity interconnection linking the two countries.
The initiative seeks to identify commercially viable options for exporting renewable electricity generated in Morocco to France, reinforcing Europe’s transition towards cleaner energy while enhancing regional energy security.
The announcement was made following a high-level Franco-Moroccan meeting in Rabat, where the two countries also signed a series of cooperation agreements covering finance, civil aviation, education, culture and diplomacy.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the proposed electricity link as one of several ambitious economic initiatives designed to strengthen industrial cooperation and integrate both countries into shared value chains.
The project is expected to support Morocco’s growing renewable energy sector while providing France with greater access to clean electricity as Europe accelerates its decarbonisation agenda.
The energy initiative forms part of an expanding strategic relationship between Paris and Rabat.
Officials confirmed that both countries are preparing a comprehensive bilateral treaty, expected to become France’s first such agreement with a country outside the European Union.
The treaty is scheduled to be signed during a future visit by King Mohammed VI to France, although no date has yet been announced.
Franco-Moroccan relations have strengthened considerably since France recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory in 2024.
During the meeting, Lecornu reaffirmed that France’s position remains unchanged.
He also praised recent cooperation between the two countries in tackling organised crime and drug trafficking, noting that security collaboration had delivered significant operational successes. Officials are now preparing a broader security partnership to further enhance bilateral cooperation.
The proposed electricity interconnection underscores the growing strategic importance of energy partnerships between Europe and North Africa. By enabling renewable electricity exports from Morocco to France, the project could strengthen energy security, support Europe’s climate objectives and position Morocco as a leading supplier of clean energy to European markets. It also reflects the deepening economic and geopolitical partnership between the two countries.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Ahmed El Jechtimi.
Editing: Mark Potter and Tomasz Janowski.