Former Tesco CEO turns focus to climate change, advocates renewable energy from Morocco for UK homes

Sir Dave Lewis, the CEO who has been heralded for saving Tesco, has set his sights on tackling climate change. He is championing a bold project to harness the wind and sun in Morocco to power homes in the UK.

For years, he has been pursuing the construction of a massive 2500-mile subsea power cable linking Morocco to Devon that would transport roughly 8% of the UK’s electricity demand.  

“When people first hear about what we’re doing, they think we’re crazy,” Lewis told The Guardian. “Then we explain, and they come around to asking, ‘Why aren’t we already doing this?’”

In 2020, Lewis accepted the role of chairman at Xlinks, an energy startup that is spearheading the effort.

The project does not require direct government investment but does hinge on securing a government contract to establish a stable electricity price, paid through energy bills. Lewis is confident that the cost would be lower than the rate agreed for energy from the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, currently under construction in Somerset.

Lewis has corralled a group of investors to help raise the $125 million needed to develop it.  He’s also reportedly met with six UK energy secretaries over the past four years in an attempt to get the project approved. So far, he hasn’t been given the green light. 

At the moment, Lewis’ vision may just be a pipe dream but he’s determined as ever to make it a reality.

“There may be challenges but you have to ask whether the magnetic north of the idea is strong enough that it’s worth investing your time and your energy in the pursuit of it. I thought it was, and my commitment to that has only grown as I’ve learned more,” he said.