North Africa power interconnectors emerge as new energy link to Europe

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As Europe looks to diversify energy supplies and reduce carbon intensity, electricity interconnections and grid development across North Africa are gaining traction alongside traditional oil and gas trade.

For decades, Europe’s energy relationship with North Africa has centered on hydrocarbons, including Algerian pipeline gas, Libyan oil and LNG exports from across the Mediterranean. Increasingly, however, electricity is emerging as a complementary link, driven by expanding renewable capacity, grid upgrades and new cross-border infrastructure.

A key project is the ELMED interconnector, a planned subsea cable linking Tunisia and Sicily. The 220-km, high-voltage line is expected to transmit up to 600 MW of power in both directions, supporting integration between North African and European electricity markets and enabling exports during periods of surplus generation.

Libya is also drawing attention as a potential contributor to a broader regional power corridor. While its electricity sector remains largely domestic, discussions with neighboring Algeria and Tunisia have explored linking national grids as part of a wider North African transmission network that could ultimately connect to Europe.

Source: Wikipedia