The planned Morocco-Alverdiscott electricity link has come a step closer with a presentation about the scheme to Torridge councillors.
Basically, a massive solar and wind power generating plant in the Sahara backed up by storage batteries will deliver energy to Britain 20 hours a day and meet 8% of our energy needs. The energy will be brought ashore via 4 underground cables at Cornborough and be taken via underground ducts to new converters (DC to AC current) at Alverdiscott – chosen because of ‘spare’ capacity in the National Grid in this area.
I asked what the cost of the energy would be and about the political stability of Morocco and was reassured on both aspects. Claire Hodson queried where the construction workers would live given accommodation shortages in the area – caravans were suggested – whilst Peter Hames asked for details on environmental amelioration.
The developers forecast ‘a significant spend in North Devon’ during the construction phase and a planning application is to be submitted in January with 2030 given as the completion date.