Morocco and Mauritania to connect grids through Western Sahara
Morocco and Mauritania signed an agreement on February 4th, connecting their electricity networks through Western Sahara, reported Middle East Monitor. These developments have come shortly after the leaders met on December 20th to discuss the installment of joint telecoms links.
“In implementation of the directives of King Mohammed VI, and within the framework of the Royal Atlantic Initiative [which allows Sahel countries to benefit from the Atlantic Ocean] aimed at strengthening African South-South relations, the electricity connection project between the two countries is a major step that will enhance the reliability of the two countries’ electricity grids,” Moroccan officials said.
It is hoped that electricity connection between the two countries will “open up prospects for energy exchange between them and Europe and West Africa within the framework of the West African Energy Community.”
Straight after the agreement was signed, the Moroccan office and the Mauritanian company began talks to begin ironing out the details of implementing the project.
Mauritania has long been regarded as having one of the most expensive electricity prices in the region, and is aiming to reduce this cost by importing their energy and serving some of its electricity demands through the new connection with Morocco. Morocco’s electricity production will also be benefitted, helping them in their goal to produce 52% of its electricity needs through renewable energy by 2030.
However, this project has been heavily criticised by the indigenous Sahrawi people, as the connection would have to go through disputed West Saharan territory. The Sahrawi people are politically represented by the Polisario Front, a separatist group not officially recognised by the Moroccan government.
Middle East Monitor, Maghrebi
