Rabat aims to rely more on American gas after Algeria’s decision to officially close the Maghreb Europe Gas Pipeline that’s been supplying gas to Morocco and Spain for 25 years.
Morocco has worked to diversify its energy supply for years in order to reduce dependence on Algeria in this field, as US exports of liquefied gas to Morocco increased since 2017, amid the ongoing political dispute with its eastern neighbor.
“US dominated the international market after its dependence on shale oil, which made its share of natural gas rise in Morocco every year, as the kingdom oriantaed towards US to meet its household needs of this substance in the long run,” said Al-Hussein Al Yamani, Secretary General of the National Union of Oil and Gas expert in the field of energy.
The Algerian gas’ supply wasn’t a possibility for Morocco before 1996. It was imposed on the kingdom to obtain its rights from the Spanish pipeline passing on its territory and consequently Morocco built the two power stations Tahadar and Ain Bani Mathar, explained the expert.
The Kingdom ended its energy dependence on Algeria years ago in light of the political tension between the two countries, given that the gas imported from the eastern neighbor is used only to operate the two electric stations “Tadhadar” and “Ain Beni Mathar,” which is less than six percent of electricity production in Morocco.
“It is planned that a plant will be established in Tangiers, Jorf Lasfar or Mohammedia to convert liquefied gas into natural gas, and then transfer it through pipelines to industrial companies, which will ensure the production of electricity from gas in the two stations, and building other gas stations,” said Al Yamani.
Liquefied petroleum gas (GPL) is employed in domestic uses as it is stored in special stations after the arrival of its ships to the Moroccan ports, and then transferred to filling centers of gas bottles.
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