Morocco’s Energy minister said today the kingdom will begin importing LNG by the month of Ramadan, in a context marked by increased demand and Algeria’s halting of decades-long of gas flow to Morocco.
The announcement was made by Energy Minister Leila Benali during the 15th conference on energy transition organized in Rabat, on Monday.
She said four ports will be prepared to receive the supply of liquefied natural gas, and plans are underway to build storage units ahead of distribution.
“Morocco’s access to this market will stimulate the economy and reduce carbon dioxide,” the Minister said.
Up until last October, Morocco obtained most of its gas from the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline that was used to transport Algerian gas to Spain via Morocco but was shut down following Algeria’s decision to terminate the contract last October. Meanwhile, demand for electricity is expected to rise to 3 billion cubic meters by 2040, Benali said.
Morocco is negotiating with Spain and other gas traders to secure a medium-term supply agreement aimed at decarbonizing the economy, Benali previously announced.
The LNG market is expected to be primarily driven by demand from power generation and industrial sectors.
The share of renewable energy capacity in installed capacity in Morocco rose to 45% last year and was expected to reach 52% by 2025 as 10 GW of renewable energy capacity is expected to be installed over the next few years.
“Energy transition will enable Morocco to respond to the new development model as well as the international commitment to COP26 by cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 42% by 2030,” Benali added, noting that her ministry aims to elevate energy security to a strategic level.
Organized under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI by the Federation of Energy with the support of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the 15th Energy Conference brings together a host of Moroccan and foreign institutional figures to review the progress and discuss the future prospects of a highly strategic sector.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.