MEDGRID Seminar: Studies show benefits of electricity interconnection between Portugal and Morocco

The electrical interconnection between Portugal and Morocco offers huge socio-economic benefits for the two regions of the Mediterranean. This is one of the main conclusions reached at the MEDGRID seminar, an international consortium that fosters the development of Mediterranean interconnection grids, and therefore exchanges of electricity between the northern and southern Mediterranean countries.

MEDGRID studies have shown that interconnections between the northern and southern Mediterranean, will enable Portugal and Spain to export electricity. This will optimise their existing generation facilities.

MEDGRID's conclusions suggest that the southern Mediterranean countries can also benefit from electricity at competitive prices and a guaranteed better-quality supply. Furthermore, the Iberian Peninsula will combine its high potential for renewable generation with the fast-growing demand for power in the Maghreb region.

Emílio Rui Vilar, Chairman of REN stressed the 'importance of MEDGRID's studies as a significant contribution to the construction of energy highways between Europe and Africa.'

About MEDGRID:

The Medgrid project (a consortium set up in late 2010) studies underwater electricity interconnections between Europe and Africa. This will make systems more reliable and create an electricity market to the south to meet growing demand in that region and at competitive prices.

A REN owns a 5.45% shareholding in Medgrid. In addition to REN, Medgrid currently has 21 shareholders. They include Abengoa (Spain), Alstom (France), Areva (France), Atos WorldGrid (France), CDC Infrastructure (France), EDF (France), Cofely Ineo - GDF SUEZ (France), Nemo (Italy), Nexans (France), ONE (Morocco), Prysmian Group (France), REE (Spain), RTE (France), Siemens SAS (France), Terna (Italy), Tunur (Tunisia) and Walid Elias (Syria).

For further information, go to: www.medgrid-psm.com