Morocco will enter the LNG market in the coming days after finalizing supply agreements. Morocco is seeking to boost the share of natural gas in its energy mix, said Energy Minister Leila Benali.
The minister added that her department was in talks with Portugal, France and Spain to activate unused capacity in their regasification infrastructure to import gas through a gas pipeline that carries gas to the two Tahadart power stations. and Bni Mathar.
The two power plants have been shut down since Algeria unilaterally stopped the flow of gas through a pipeline with a capacity of 13 billion cubic meters.
The first arrival of LNG in Morocco would create demand for natural gas, she said.
Morocco consumes some 800 million cubic meters of gas, most of which was supplied by the gas pipeline which has now been shut down.
It expects its gas needs to reach 3 billion cubic meters by 2040, with gas set to play a key role in Moroccan industry as a source of low-carbon energy transition.
“Regasification is important for Morocco’s energy sovereignty,” said the minister, adding that her department was examining several ports to accommodate regasification units.
Benali also said Morocco was preparing to launch the national energy security council as an advisory body.
She said Morocco’s petroleum product storage capacity is 1.6 million tons and will reach 8 million tons by 2023.