Morocco and Mauritania are advancing studies for a bilateral electricity interconnection project, with completion of those studies targeted for December 2026, according to a ministerial statement issued following a telephone call between the two countries' energy ministers on 28 August 2026. The exchange also recognised Morocco's emergency technical assistance to Mauritania after an incident damaged two electrical substations in Nouakchott, with Morocco's National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water helping restore service.
The ministerial conversation confirmed that the interconnection studies are proceeding on schedule. No details on the project's technical specifications, financing structure, or construction timeline have been disclosed at this stage. The announcement represents a heads-of-agreement-level diplomatic signal rather than a contract or financial commitment, and the two parties appear to be in a pre-feasibility or feasibility study phase ahead of any formal investment decision.
The context matters for the broader region. Mauritania holds significant gas reserves — most notably the cross-border Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development — and Morocco has been expanding its renewable energy capacity aggressively. An electricity interconnection would support both countries' stated goals of energy security and regional integration, potentially allowing Morocco to export surplus renewable-generated power southward and enabling Mauritania to reduce reliance on fragile domestic grid infrastructure, as illustrated by the recent substation failures in the capital.
For now, however, the project remains at the study stage. There is no confirmed route, no voltage specification, no contracting structure, and no construction date in the public record from this announcement. Norwegian and other international service firms should treat this as an early-watch item. The December 2026 study completion milestone will be the next decision point — if those studies conclude positively, a tendering or financing process for the physical interconnection infrastructure could begin in 2027 or beyond. Relationship-building with Morocco's ONEE (National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water) and Mauritania's Ministry of Energy and Petroleum would be the appropriate near-term activity for firms with relevant grid, cable, or infrastructure capabilities.