Can you please paste the article? The website is almost unusable on mobile
[deleted]
This is really good news. Solar from N Africa should be a very consistent energy source.
Latest on plan to connect tiny Devon village to Morocco with 3,800km cable
Xlinks wants to construct a 3,800km cable between Morocco and the UK that could transmit enough electricity to power more than seven million British homes
[cool artists interpretation of a power station, rectangular chimney, greenery surrounded by b/w landscape]
Plans to connect a 3.6GW of renewable energy from Morocco to the British electricity grid are in a second period of public consultation in North Devon.
Xlinks wants to construct a 3,800km cable between Morocco and the UK that could transmit enough electricity to power more than seven million British homes. It would involve a large-scale onshore wind, solar and battery electricity generation site in the north African country supplying power exclusively to the UK energy grid. The project, which is expected to cost £18bn to fund, received a significant boost last week when it was named by the government as a project of interest in its energy blueprint, Powering Up Britain.
Xlinks’ Renewable Energy Development in Devon will seek to gain planning permission for 14km of underground High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cabling, from landfall at Cornborough Range, and construction of a HVDC to High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) converter station site in close proximity to the existing National Grid substation located between Gammaton and Alverdiscott.
Having worked with National Grid to identify the optimal location to connect to the GB electricity grid, Xlinks has developed its plans in line with the rural character of North Devon. All cables will be installed underground, with land reinstated to its previous use. There will be no permanent infrastructure above-ground along the route.
[an image that did not load, probably blocked by my browser]
Upon completion, the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project will be capable of meeting approximately eight per cent of Britain’s annual electricity demand, enough renewable energy to power over 7 million British homes.
Xlinks’ second round of public exhibitions in Devon seeks local views on the project enhancements being proposed following community feedback at its first public exhibitions held last year.
Firstly, the company proposes to relocate the converter station site to the old Webbery Showground. This site is closer to the existing National Grid substation and less disruptive to local residents, particularly during construction. Work is being undertaken to ensure that the site is also less visually intrusive and substantially screened from view.
Secondly, the company proposes an alternative route for the underground cable to avoid Abbotsham village. This takes the underground cable away from homes and schools.
Finally, further detail has been made available regarding the proposed construction methods and transport routes employed by the project. These align with the company’s intention to minimise potential disruption during construction, including on local roads.
[an image that did not load, probably blocked by my browser]
he second period of public consultation runs from Monday 17 April 2023 until Wednesday 31 May 2023. All responses will be considered ahead of the submission of a full planning application to the Local Planning Authority in summer 2023.
The drop-in public exhibitions are open to all and are being held on:
Wednesday 26 th April 2023 from 12.30pm to 8.00pm at Huntshaw Parish Hall, Huntshaw, Devon, EX38 7HH
Thursday 27 th April 2023 from 12.30pm to 8.00pm at Alverdiscott Community Hall, Stoney Cross, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4PZ
Wednesday 17 th May 2023 from 12.30pm to 8.00pm at Caddsdown Business Support Centre, Caddsdown Industrial Park, Clovelly Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3DX
All exhibition material is also available to view online throughout the consultation period at http://www.xlinks.co/devon.
Nigel Williams, Project Director, HVDC Transmission, Xlinks said: “From day one of our work in Devon, we recognised the need for local input to help us shape our plans, minimise potential disruption during construction, and maximise benefit to the region.
“We were delighted that our first public exhibitions were so well attended and extended our project timeline to carefully consider, and then act upon, feedback from the local community. Consequently, we’ve made some key enhancements to our project proposals and look forward to discussing these at our second public exhibitions and throughout the course of this second round of public consultation.
“While our project can make a real difference to UK energy security and the pursuit of national decarbonisation targets, we consider it equally important to be a good neighbour to the local community and the natural environment, and to explore all opportunities to contribute to social and economic development in Devon.”
[read next, a list of things to read which seem to involve eateries]
Can someone explain why Morocco would export this solar, considering it currently only makes up 7% of their energy generation. They’re more reliant on fossil fuels than we are.
Would have thought it would be more cost effective to involve spain and france than do the entire thing under the sea
The cable will at least stop Britian floating even further away from Europe.
This is of course the way forward and it’s surprising it’s taken this long. The Middle East would be another prime source of solar and wouldn’t need anywhere near the same length of cable to tie into the European grid. Likewise Libya there’s virtually nothing but desert in the southern parts bar oil fields. It does require sine foresight and a willingness to embrace the idea though
8 comments
Can you please paste the article? The website is almost unusable on mobile
[deleted]
This is really good news. Solar from N Africa should be a very consistent energy source.
Latest on plan to connect tiny Devon village to Morocco with 3,800km cable
Xlinks wants to construct a 3,800km cable between Morocco and the UK that could transmit enough electricity to power more than seven million British homes
[cool artists interpretation of a power station, rectangular chimney, greenery surrounded by b/w landscape]
Plans to connect a 3.6GW of renewable energy from Morocco to the British electricity grid are in a second period of public consultation in North Devon.
Xlinks wants to construct a 3,800km cable between Morocco and the UK that could transmit enough electricity to power more than seven million British homes. It would involve a large-scale onshore wind, solar and battery electricity generation site in the north African country supplying power exclusively to the UK energy grid. The project, which is expected to cost £18bn to fund, received a significant boost last week when it was named by the government as a project of interest in its energy blueprint, Powering Up Britain.
Xlinks’ Renewable Energy Development in Devon will seek to gain planning permission for 14km of underground High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cabling, from landfall at Cornborough Range, and construction of a HVDC to High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) converter station site in close proximity to the existing National Grid substation located between Gammaton and Alverdiscott.
Having worked with National Grid to identify the optimal location to connect to the GB electricity grid, Xlinks has developed its plans in line with the rural character of North Devon. All cables will be installed underground, with land reinstated to its previous use. There will be no permanent infrastructure above-ground along the route.
[an image that did not load, probably blocked by my browser]
Upon completion, the Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project will be capable of meeting approximately eight per cent of Britain’s annual electricity demand, enough renewable energy to power over 7 million British homes.
Xlinks’ second round of public exhibitions in Devon seeks local views on the project enhancements being proposed following community feedback at its first public exhibitions held last year.
Firstly, the company proposes to relocate the converter station site to the old Webbery Showground. This site is closer to the existing National Grid substation and less disruptive to local residents, particularly during construction. Work is being undertaken to ensure that the site is also less visually intrusive and substantially screened from view.
Secondly, the company proposes an alternative route for the underground cable to avoid Abbotsham village. This takes the underground cable away from homes and schools.
Finally, further detail has been made available regarding the proposed construction methods and transport routes employed by the project. These align with the company’s intention to minimise potential disruption during construction, including on local roads.
[an image that did not load, probably blocked by my browser]
he second period of public consultation runs from Monday 17 April 2023 until Wednesday 31 May 2023. All responses will be considered ahead of the submission of a full planning application to the Local Planning Authority in summer 2023.
The drop-in public exhibitions are open to all and are being held on:
Wednesday 26 th April 2023 from 12.30pm to 8.00pm at Huntshaw Parish Hall, Huntshaw, Devon, EX38 7HH
Thursday 27 th April 2023 from 12.30pm to 8.00pm at Alverdiscott Community Hall, Stoney Cross, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4PZ
Wednesday 17 th May 2023 from 12.30pm to 8.00pm at Caddsdown Business Support Centre, Caddsdown Industrial Park, Clovelly Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3DX
All exhibition material is also available to view online throughout the consultation period at http://www.xlinks.co/devon.
Nigel Williams, Project Director, HVDC Transmission, Xlinks said: “From day one of our work in Devon, we recognised the need for local input to help us shape our plans, minimise potential disruption during construction, and maximise benefit to the region.
“We were delighted that our first public exhibitions were so well attended and extended our project timeline to carefully consider, and then act upon, feedback from the local community. Consequently, we’ve made some key enhancements to our project proposals and look forward to discussing these at our second public exhibitions and throughout the course of this second round of public consultation.
“While our project can make a real difference to UK energy security and the pursuit of national decarbonisation targets, we consider it equally important to be a good neighbour to the local community and the natural environment, and to explore all opportunities to contribute to social and economic development in Devon.”
[read next, a list of things to read which seem to involve eateries]
Can someone explain why Morocco would export this solar, considering it currently only makes up 7% of their energy generation. They’re more reliant on fossil fuels than we are.
Would have thought it would be more cost effective to involve spain and france than do the entire thing under the sea
The cable will at least stop Britian floating even further away from Europe.
This is of course the way forward and it’s surprising it’s taken this long. The Middle East would be another prime source of solar and wouldn’t need anywhere near the same length of cable to tie into the European grid. Likewise Libya there’s virtually nothing but desert in the southern parts bar oil fields. It does require sine foresight and a willingness to embrace the idea though