Casablanca – Morocco is witnessing a significant shift in the geographical distribution of its petroleum supplies, with the United States emerging as the country’s leading maritime supplier during the first nine months of 2026, ahead of Russia and Spain. The change reflects growing demand for imported refined petroleum products, particularly diesel and fuel oil, as the country seeks to maintain electricity production, secure its energy supply and adapt to fluctuations in international markets.

The latest import figures highlight the increasing importance of diversifying external suppliers at a time when Morocco remains heavily dependent on imported energy resources. Although renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important component of the national electricity system, petroleum products, coal and natural gas continue to play substantial roles in meeting domestic demand, particularly when weather conditions, supply disruptions or changes in international prices affect other energy sources.

Morocco’s maritime imports of petroleum products averaged 271,000 barrels per day between January and September 2026, compared with 249,000 barrels per day during the same period in 2025. This represented an annual increase of 9%, reflecting higher requirements for imported refined fuels.

The United States recorded the strongest expansion among Morocco’s main suppliers. American shipments increased from 25,000 barrels per day during the first nine months of 2025 to 61,000 barrels per day in the corresponding period of 2026, representing growth of more than 140%. This increase placed Washington at the top of the supplier ranking and demonstrated the growing role of American petroleum products in Morocco’s energy procurement.

Russia ranked second, with average deliveries reaching 50,000 barrels per day, up from 39,000 barrels a year earlier, an increase of 28%. Spain, which previously occupied a more prominent position, experienced a 21% decline in shipments, with deliveries falling from 44,000 to 35,000 barrels per day.

Other suppliers also strengthened their positions. Turkish deliveries increased from 10,000 to 22,000 barrels per day, while shipments from the Netherlands rose from 4,000 to 20,000 barrels per day. Together, the United States, Russia, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands accounted for approximately 70% of Morocco’s maritime petroleum product imports.

This redistribution illustrates how importers adjust their purchasing strategies according to availability, prices, transport conditions and the type of fuel required. The expansion of American supplies, alongside increased deliveries from Turkey and the Netherlands, gives Morocco additional procurement options when traditional supply channels become less reliable or less competitive.

Morocco’s dependence on imported energy

The latest developments must be considered against the structure of Morocco’s energy system. The country has limited domestic production of fossil fuels and relies heavily on international markets to meet its requirements for petroleum products, coal and natural gas. This dependence exposes the economy to changes in international prices, geopolitical tensions, shipping disruptions and fluctuations in supply availability.

Petroleum products represent an important component of Morocco’s energy consumption. The country uses diesel and gasoline extensively in road transport, logistics, agriculture and industrial activities. Fuel oil also remains relevant to electricity generation, particularly when other sources are insufficient or when natural gas availability is constrained.

Morocco’s limited domestic oil production means that it must secure most of its refined petroleum requirements through imports. The closure of the country’s sole refinery in 2015 further increased the importance of importing finished petroleum products rather than relying on substantial domestic refining capacity.

This situation explains why changes in the geographical origin of shipments have economic and strategic significance. The emergence of the United States as the leading maritime supplier provides Morocco with an additional source of refined fuels, while continued purchases from Russia, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands help maintain access to different supply channels.

However, the latest figures concern maritime imports of petroleum products and should not be confused with the country’s entire energy supply. Coal and natural gas remain separate components of the national energy balance, each with its own suppliers, infrastructure and role in electricity generation.

Natural gas and the changing role of Spain

Natural gas represents another important element of Morocco’s energy supply, although its contribution to the national energy mix remains smaller than that of petroleum products and coal.

For several years, Spain has played an important role in Morocco’s access to natural gas through the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, which was originally designed to transport Algerian gas to Spain through Moroccan territory. Following the interruption of Algerian gas deliveries through the pipeline in October 2021, Morocco began using the infrastructure in the reverse direction to receive gas purchased on international markets, particularly through Spanish facilities.

This arrangement allowed Morocco to maintain access to natural gas without having its own large-scale liquefied natural gas import terminal. Gas imported into Spain could be regasified and transported through the interconnected pipeline system towards Morocco.

Nevertheless, this arrangement leaves the country dependent on external infrastructure and the availability of supplies in neighbouring markets. Any disruption affecting Spanish gas availability, international LNG markets or regional energy flows can therefore influence Morocco’s electricity generation requirements.

The recent increase in diesel and fuel oil imports illustrates how the country can turn to alternative fuels when natural gas deliveries become less reliable. Rather than depending on a single source or transport route, Morocco has expanded its petroleum procurement from several international suppliers.

The development of domestic gas infrastructure is consequently becoming an important part of its longer-term energy planning. The country is working towards an integrated strategy involving LNG import facilities, port infrastructure and gas pipelines connecting import terminals with major consumption areas. Such investments are intended to provide greater flexibility in sourcing gas from international markets and reduce dependence on existing supply arrangements.

Coal remains important for electricity generation

Despite the growing attention given to petroleum imports, coal remains one of the most significant fuels in Morocco’s electricity system.

Coal-fired power stations continue to provide a substantial share of electricity production because they can operate continuously and support demand when renewable generation fluctuates. Morocco has historically relied on imported coal, making international supply conditions and prices important factors in its electricity sector.

This dependence creates an economic challenge. When international fossil fuel prices rise, electricity production costs can increase, potentially placing additional pressure on public finances, businesses and consumers. Higher import bills can also widen the trade deficit and increase the country’s exposure to external economic shocks.

The diversification of petroleum suppliers therefore addresses only part of the wider energy security challenge. Morocco must also maintain stable coal supplies, develop alternative natural gas import arrangements and improve the flexibility of its electricity network.

Renewable energy as a long-term alternative

Alongside the diversification of fossil fuel suppliers, Morocco continues to expand its renewable energy capacity through investments in wind, solar and hydroelectric power.

The country has developed several large-scale renewable projects, including wind farms in northern and southern regions, solar facilities and hydroelectric installations. These investments are intended to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, diversify electricity production and limit exposure to fluctuations in international energy markets.

In 2025, Morocco’s installed electricity capacity reached approximately 12,214 megawatts, with renewable sources accounting for 46.1% of the total. This included 2,447 megawatts of wind capacity, 1,063 megawatts of solar capacity and 2,120 megawatts of hydroelectric capacity, including pumped-storage facilities.

Electricity demand reached approximately 49 terawatt-hours in 2025, an increase of 7.4% compared with the previous year. This growth illustrates the difficulty of reducing fossil fuel consumption while electricity requirements continue to rise.

The government has planned additional investment in renewable generation, electricity transmission and storage. Renewable projects are expected to provide a substantial share of additional generation capacity, while battery storage systems and pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities are being developed to help balance intermittent solar and wind production.

The expansion of renewable energy does not immediately eliminate the need for imported petroleum products or coal. Solar and wind generation depend on weather conditions and require complementary generation and storage capacity to maintain a stable electricity supply. Conventional power stations consequently remain part of the system during the transition.

Energy security and the economic implications

Morocco’s changing petroleum supplier ranking reflects a broader effort to manage the risks associated with external energy dependence. The increase in American deliveries, together with stronger supplies from Turkey and the Netherlands, gives the country additional options when purchasing refined fuels.

Nevertheless, supplier diversification must be accompanied by improvements in storage capacity, port infrastructure, transportation networks and procurement flexibility. Maintaining sufficient fuel reserves is particularly important for a country whose transport system, agricultural activities and electricity production depend on regular access to imported energy.

The economic implications extend beyond the energy sector. Petroleum prices influence transport costs, agricultural production expenses, industrial operating costs and the prices of goods and services. An increase in international oil prices can therefore affect household purchasing power and business competitiveness.

Morocco’s ports also have an important role in this strategy. Facilities capable of receiving, storing and distributing large volumes of petroleum products help ensure that international shipments can be integrated efficiently into the domestic supply system. The development of new maritime infrastructure, including projects in the northeast, could further strengthen the country’s capacity to handle different categories of energy cargo.

In the coming years, Morocco will face the challenge of balancing three priorities: securing sufficient supplies of conventional fuels, controlling the economic consequences of international price fluctuations and accelerating the development of domestic renewable electricity.

The United States’ emergence as Morocco’s leading maritime petroleum supplier represents a significant change in import patterns, but it does not mean that the country has reduced its structural dependence on imported energy. Russia remains an important supplier, Spain continues to play a role in the energy relationship, and Turkey and the Netherlands are gaining importance.

The longer-term objective will be to translate this broader range of supply options into greater resilience while gradually reducing the share of imported fossil fuels in national consumption. Achieving this will depend on the pace of renewable energy development, the availability of storage facilities, improvements to electricity networks and the establishment of more diversified natural gas import infrastructure.

Morocco’s energy strategy is therefore evolving on two complementary fronts: securing reliable access to international fuel markets in the short and medium term, while expanding domestic renewable generation to reduce exposure to external suppliers over time.