HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zariouh
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening Morocco's independence in the energy field, Morocco has launched a project to establish a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and conversion terminal in the port of Nador "West Mediterranean".
The terminal is expected to start operating next year, with a total cost estimated at about a billion dollars, including the construction of the terminal and pipelines that will connect it to important industrial areas in the country. Morocco has announced the start of the process of selecting specialized companies to supply the terminal and implement pipeline projects, where tenders for the storage and regasification terminal will be opened next February, with the qualified companies to be announced in the same period. This project aims to reduce dependence on Spanish conversion plants and ensure sustainable gas supplies for the Kingdom in the future. The project falls within Morocco's energy strategy, which seeks to transform the Kingdom into a major player in LNG imports. In this context, the Moroccan government has developed a plan to increase gas consumption in the country from 1.2 billion cubic meters to 12 billion cubic meters by 2030. The project also aims to compensate for the interruption of Algerian gas supplies since 2021, by connecting the Nador terminal to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline. In addition to this step, the Moroccan government announced additional investments of $3.5 billion in gas import terminals, and $2 billion to establish gas-fired power plants. These investments aim to triple electricity production from gas and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, within the framework of a long-term plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. On the other hand, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development had announced in April 2024 a plan to establish three gas conversion plants, the first in Nador, the second in Mohammedia by 2027, and the third on the coast of Dakhla. These stations aim to purchase LNG directly from exporting countries, which will contribute to reducing costs and improving the speed of gas transfer to Morocco, in addition to securing energy supplies for local industries. Through these initiatives, Morocco seeks to achieve sustainable energy development, ensure the Kingdom's energy security, and enhance its position in the global energy market.
