Xlinks appoints CEO to lead Morocco-UK project

The Xlinks project aims to send green electricity generated in the Moroccan desert to Devon, in the south of England, where it will supply up to 8% of the country’s electricity demand.

The project is expected to grow Xlinks’ profile, hence the need for a dedicated chief executive.

“The Morocco – UK Power Project is Xlinks’ first project, and we have other markets that are excited to harness the enormous benefits that long distance HVDC connectors can deliver to help solve the intermittency of renewables,” said Simon Morrish, founder and group chief executive at Xlinks.

“We expect the Morocco – UK Power Project will serve as a model for future initiatives.”

Humfrey has 25 years’ experience in leading complex international energy projects, most recently as executive vice president for growth and industry in ADNOC in Abu Dhabi.

He also led ADNOC’s New Energies Division, developing the region’s first world-scale blue ammonia plant and carbon capture and storage pilot and delivered the acquisition of a stake in renewable generation company, Masdar.

Previously he held senior roles at Shell, with his last as senior vice president at Downstream M&A. Prior to that Humfrey was in charge of Global Capital Projects Contracting and Chemicals Capital Projects.

“Joining Xlinks First as CEO is a fantastic opportunity to lead the first-of-its-kind Morocco – UK Power Project in achieving its goal to deliver a near constant, clean and affordable supply of electricity to the UK,” said James Humfrey.

Humfrey will work closely with Simon Morrish who will continue as group chief executive. Morrish founded Xlinks in 2019, spearheading the development of the Xlinks Morocco – UK Power Project, which is backed by investors including TotalEnergies, Octopus Energy and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company.