Portugal has unveiled a €400 million ($461 million) plan to reinforce its electrical grid, three months after a massive power outage plunged the Iberian Peninsula into darkness, and is considering a potential connection to Morocco’s power network.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal’s Environment Minister, disclosed this at a press conference in Lisbon on Monday after a massive power outage disrupted electricity across the Iberian Peninsula, affecting Portugal and Spain for up to ten hours, with some areas facing longer disruptions.
The blackout crippled telecommunications, transportation, and emergency services, exposing weaknesses in Europe’s interconnected power systems.
The initiative includes 31 measures aimed at preventing future outages, with partial funding from European Union grants to ease the burden on consumers.
Morocco power connection
The key proposal involves exploring a power link with Morocco.
Carvalho revealed that Portugal and Morocco’s foreign ministers have initiated “very preliminary” discussions to connect their grids, potentially leveraging existing infrastructure to reduce costs.
“We could consider connecting to existing projects. Starting from scratch would certainly be very costly,” said Carvalho.
The intercontinental link across the Gibraltar Strait could integrate Morocco’s expanding renewable energy capacity with Portugal’s grid, creating an energy bridge.
Morocco’s renewable energy ambitions, particularly in solar and wind, could provide Portugal with a stable power supply while offering Morocco an export route for its green energy.
Technical and regulatory challenges
However, the proposed undersea cable connection faces significant hurdles.
Technical challenges include the deployment of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables across the Gibraltar Strait, a complex engineering feat.
In addition, the regulatory harmonization between the European Union’s and Morocco’s energy frameworks also poses obstacles, requiring alignment on grid codes and market rules.
Meanwhile, Carvalho announced that another €25 million will support critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, to ensure uninterrupted power during emergencies.
In addition, the government will modernize grid control systems to manage complex energy flows from renewable sources.
By 2026, tenders for battery storage installations will expand electricity storage capacity, enabling better integration of solar and wind power, she added.
The implications for energy security
The Iberian blackout shows the need for diversified energy sources.
Portugal’s potential partnership with Morocco aligns with Spain’s concurrent efforts to enhance renewable integration.
This collaboration could position Portugal as a pioneer in intercontinental energy cooperation, strengthening regional energy security while advancing Africa’s renewable energy market.
