Algeria said it will stop supplying natural gas to Morocco through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline starting November 01, according to multiple Reuters sources.
The move comes following the unilateral decision of Algerian authorities to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco.
Algeria has previously hinted at the possibility of providing gas to Spain through the Medgaz pipeline, excluding Morocco.
Algeria’s Medgaz pipeline will link the Algerian installations of Béni Saf to the port of Almería in Spain, passing under the Mediterranean Sea, with a capacity of 8 billion m3, and is far behind the capacity of the gas pipeline passing through Morocco (13.5 billion m3).
The move would effectively end natural gas exports of 1 billion cubic meters to Morocco, used to produce around 10% of the Kingdom’s electricity, Reuters reports.
Algeria is Spain’s largest gas supplier, covering almost half of its gas demand through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline.
An unnamed Algerian senior government official told Reuters that the North African country will use ships to transport liquified natural gas to Spain, to ensure Spain’s supply in the case of a disruption.
Earlier this month, a senior Moroccan official told Reuters that the Kindom was in talks with Spain about reversing the flow of a gas pipeline in case Algeria fails to extend a supply agreement.
The biggest loser is Algeria, while Morocco has more than alternative to the algerian gaz pipeline.
In the coming days, Algeria will suffer from its folly. As for the fate of the poor algerian people, it is heading for the unknown.