HIBAPRESS announced that the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water has launched a pre-qualification announcement for selecting qualified companies to execute ultra-high voltage alternating current (UHT) power lines, designed to transmit electrical energy over a distance of approximately 1,000 kilometers to connect the regions of Boujdour and Tansift.
The Office clarified, in a statement, that this project falls within its strategy aimed at strengthening the national electricity transmission network and its pivotal role in supporting the energy transition in the Kingdom. It added that this project also comes within a system of structural electrical infrastructure that the Office oversees its operation, execution, or development, and includes the future project to establish a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power line that will enable direct connection between the south and center of the Kingdom. The same source pointed out that this important project of ultra-high voltage power lines, which is expected to be operational starting from December 2028, aims to transmit a renewable electrical capacity of up to 2,000 megawatts, which enhances meeting the increasing national demand for electrical energy and accelerates the integration of renewable energies on a large scale. Following the initial selection phase, the Office will select the companies qualified to participate in the second phase related to the tender for this project, which will be executed according to the "Engineering, Procurement, and Construction" (EPC) model, where the contracting company undertakes the design, execution, and pilot operation within a comprehensive contract for all project phases. The statement recorded that the deadline for submitting bids was set for January 15, 2026, at 12:00 (Moroccan time), noting that the opening of the envelopes will take place on the same day. It is worth noting that the national electricity transmission network currently exceeds 30,000 km of very high voltage lines in operation, including a 400 kilovolt double-circuit line reaching the city of Dakhla. In addition to this, another 400 kilovolt double-circuit line is under construction by the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, which is expected to be operational in mid-2026, and which will enable the transmission of approximately 900 additional megawatts, related to the expected production from the new wind farms that are under construction and are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026. In this context, the Boujdour – Tansift ultra-high voltage power lines will play an important role, as they will enable the transmission of new capacities from renewable energies under development in the south towards the center of the Kingdom, which will facilitate their integration into the national electricity grid and ensure energy supply at the national level. The statement indicated that through this new project, consistent with the national dynamics in line with the high vision of King Mohammed VI in the field of developing strategic energy infrastructure, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water renews its steadfast commitment to supporting sustainable development and ensuring a secure, reliable, and carbon-free electricity supply. (With)
