Huffington Post: UK Labor MP calls for strengthening further strategic partnership with Morocco

Morocco is a country of great strategic importance to the UK whose energy future depends on stronger ties with Morocco, said Labor MP Joe Powell in an Op-Ed published Thursday in the UK HuffPost.

The Morocco-UK Power Project, recently recognized in TIME Magazine’s World’s Top GreenTech rankings, promises to supply enough clean electricity to power seven million British homes, said the MP for Kensington & Bayswater constituency in London.

This landmark project aims to reduce wholesale electricity prices by over 9% in its first year – supporting the government’s Warm Homes agenda – cut UK power sector emissions by around 10% and deliver more than £20 billion in value to the British economy, said the MP of the ruling party.

This project is built with a stable and long-standing partner (Morocco) just across the Mediterranean, he added, noting partnership with Rabat extends far beyond energy – to growth, security, and sport.

Morocco is just a three-hour flight from London, it is a key trading partner, supplying British supermarkets with fresh produce, pioneering renewable energy solutions, and playing a crucial role in regional security, said MP Joe Powell.

The UK and Morocco share a deep historical relationship spanning over 800 years, making it one of the world’s oldest diplomatic partnerships. Today, bilateral economic ties are stronger than ever. Trade between Britain and Morocco grew by more than 60% in 2024 to reach £3.8 billion.

Morocco supplies a quarter of the tomatoes in our supermarkets, a fifth of all soft fruits, and 60% of our canned sardines. In return, the UK exports cars, refined oil, and metals to Morocco, demonstrating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Furthermore, Morocco is playing a key role in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, becoming strategic hub in the global transition to clean energy.

With its strong production capabilities and a key position in Europe’s EV market, Morocco is well-placed to drive innovation and sustainability in the sector. As the UK seeks to deepen trade and energy partnerships, Morocco stands out as a valuable ally, offering exciting opportunities for sustainable growth and technological advancement, said the Labor MP.