Casablanca – Morocco has begun to witness a gradual recovery in natural gas deliveries after a period of significant disruption that began in late March 2026 and extended into the first week of April. The partial restoration of flows, recorded from April 11, marks a stabilizing phase in a volatile supply sequence that had raised concerns over the country’s short-term energy security. However, energy analysts note that the underlying vulnerabilities of Morocco’s import-dependent system remain unchanged.

According to aggregated monitoring data reported by specialized energy sources, gas flows toward Morocco resumed on April 11, reaching approximately 12.27 million cubic meters. This followed several days of near-total interruption in early April, when no imports were recorded during the first week of the month. While the resumption indicates a technical and logistical normalization of supply routes, volumes remain below pre-disruption averages, suggesting that full stabilization has not yet been achieved.

The recent disruption did not emerge abruptly but developed progressively over several weeks. From the second half of March, gas deliveries became increasingly irregular, with repeated interruptions affecting the continuity of supply. In some instances, flows were halted for several consecutive days before resuming at reduced levels. At certain points, deliveries dropped to less than 20% of their usual capacity, reflecting growing pressure on the supply chain.

By late March, the situation had deteriorated further. A four-day complete interruption was recorded during the third week of the month, followed by a brief and limited resumption that failed to restore normal flow levels. Another stoppage occurred on March 27, and by the end of the month, supplies had once again been suspended entirely. This sequence carried into early April, when no deliveries were recorded during the first week of the month.

Statistical indicators highlight the scale of the contraction. During the final two weeks of March, average gas flows declined to approximately 7.2 gigawatt-hours per day, compared to around 25 gigawatt-hours per day in the first half of the month. This represents a decrease of more than 71%, underscoring the severity of the disruption affecting Morocco’s energy supply chain.

Morocco’s gas import structure plays a central role in explaining this vulnerability. The country relies primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments that are delivered to Spain, where the gas is regasified before being transported to Morocco through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline. This arrangement was developed after the suspension of direct Algerian gas flows through the pipeline, making Spain a key intermediary in Morocco’s supply route.

While this system ensures continued access to international gas markets, it also introduces multiple points of exposure. Any disruption in LNG availability, price fluctuations on global markets, or operational constraints in Spanish regasification facilities can directly affect volumes delivered to Morocco. The reliance on a single indirect corridor has therefore become a structural constraint, particularly during periods of global energy volatility.

Market conditions during the period of disruption were also characterized by elevated uncertainty. International gas prices remained highly volatile, influenced by geopolitical tensions and supply chain instability across major energy-exporting regions. Analysts suggest that Morocco may have faced challenges in securing LNG cargoes under stable contractual conditions or may have reduced spot market purchases due to elevated costs. In either case, pricing dynamics appear to have played a significant role in the contraction of supply.

Despite the severity of the gas shortage, Morocco’s electricity system remained stable throughout the period. No major outages or load-shedding measures were reported, largely due to the system’s ability to compensate through alternative generation sources. Coal-fired power plants played a central role in maintaining electricity output during the gas shortfall.

In response to reduced gas availability, Morocco increased its reliance on coal imports, particularly from Russia, to ensure continuity of electricity generation. Coal, being more readily available and less sensitive to short-term price volatility than gas, became the primary balancing fuel in the national energy mix. During the same period, electricity production from coal reportedly increased by around 5%, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing source in times of supply stress.

Gas-fired power plants, including key facilities such as Tahaddart and Ain Beni Mathar, remained operational but were more dependent on fluctuating supply inputs. These installations are considered critical components of Morocco’s electricity infrastructure, and their performance is closely linked to the stability of imported gas flows.

On a broader level, Morocco’s energy profile continues to reflect a high level of import dependence. Estimates indicate that more than 94% of the country’s energy requirements are met through external sources. This structural reliance exposes the national energy system to global market cycles, logistical disruptions, and geopolitical risks.

Although Morocco has made significant progress in expanding renewable energy capacity in recent years, these sources are not yet sufficient to fully offset fluctuations in fossil fuel imports. As a result, the country continues to operate a hybrid system in which renewables are growing, but hydrocarbons—particularly imported coal and gas—remain essential for maintaining grid stability.

The recent gas supply disruption and subsequent partial recovery therefore highlight both short-term operational challenges and longer-term structural issues. While the resumption of flows on April 11 signals a degree of stabilization, energy analysts emphasize that Morocco’s strategic challenge lies in reducing its dependence on a narrow set of import routes and increasing flexibility in its energy sourcing framework.