Overview

• The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero cited a “high level of inherent risk” in delivery and security when announcing it would no longer back the £25bn Xlinks project.
• The plan, unveiled in 2021, involved a 4,000-kilometre subsea cable to import solar and wind power from Morocco that could have met 8–10% of UK electricity demand.
• Xlinks had secured roughly £100m in development funding from backers such as TotalEnergies, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company and Octopus Energy.
• The company projected it could supply energy at £70–£80 per megawatt-hour, undercutting the cost of new nuclear options including Sizewell C.
• Xlinks said it was disappointed by the decision and will pursue alternative markets or commercial arrangements for its renewable power link.