Patrick Boyle On Finance The Mirage of Megaprojects: Why the West Keeps Getting Infrastructure Wrong
Jul 21, 2025
Explore the rise and fall of ambitious infrastructure projects, like the canceled Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project. Delve into the complexities that complicate modern megaprojects, from regulatory hurdles to overly intricate designs. Discover lessons learned from historical successes in countries like Ireland and South Korea, emphasizing the need for simplicity. Uncover why large projects often exceed budgets and timelines due to unrealistic forecasts, pushing the case for more straightforward and effective solutions to infrastructure challenges.
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X-Lynx Project Overview
- The X-Lynx Morocco-UK Power Project planned a 4000 km undersea cable to export renewable energy from Morocco to the UK.
- The project was ambitious but faced criticism over feasibility and ethical concerns about exporting African energy to Europe.
Modern Infrastructure Challenges
- Western countries increasingly fail at delivering large infrastructure projects due to complexity and regulatory gridlock.
- It is questioned whether modern societies have forgotten how to successfully build big infrastructure.
UK's Costly Infrastructure Follies
- UK's HS2 rail line faced huge cost overruns and scrapped northern sections after spending on unnecessary features like a bat tunnel.
- Hinkley Point C nuclear plant cost rose dramatically with added bespoke designs and environmental compliance like the 'fish disco'.
