Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest was in London recently advancing talks about a possible competing clean energy initiative to the Morocco-UK subsea cable project known as Xlinks that is currently under consideration by the UK government, the Daily Mail reported.
The chairman of Fortescue Metals Group reportedly met with UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband to discuss an alternative proposed corridor that would connect Morocco’s solar power to the British grid via a 4,000-kilometer subsea cable.
Morocco’s Energy Minister Leïla Benali also joined the discussions, though none of the three participants has confirmed whether Forrest supports the Xlinks project or plans to launch his own, according to British press reports.
If built, the Xlinks proposal led by former Tesco CEO Dave Lewis would deliver Moroccan solar power and wind energy to seven million UK homes by 2030. The British government has granted it the status of a “nationally significant infrastructure project,” a move that clears regulatory hurdles by bypassing local authorities.
Yet the GBP 20-22 billion project is still facing roadblocks. Xlinks must secure long-term tariffs, additional funding, and obtain passage rights through French and Spanish waters. While the UK’s political endorsement seems a step forward, the final execution is complicated.
Forrest, whose company has shifted from iron ore mining to clean energy technologies, has not publicly supported with the Xlinks venture. Some observers suggest he may be preparing a rival project. Fortescue already has ties in Morocco through a joint venture with the state-owned OCP Group to produce green hydrogen, ammonia, and decarbonized fertilizer.
Forrest’s broader vision includes ending fossil fuel use, promoting green power, and combating global issues such as modern slavery. His fortune is estimated at USD 15 billion. He also leads the philanthropic Minderoo Foundation and Tattarang Capital along with his wife Nicola Forrest. Despite announcing their separation last year, they maintain shared governance of their business and charitable holdings.
Minister Benalispoke at the Energy Security Summit in London in April, calling for a reconfiguration of global energy infrastructure based on collaboration between producers and consumers. She promoted Morocco’s position as a stable supplier of renewable energy to Europe.
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