Casablanca – In recent years, Morocco has seen a significant increase in its imports of natural gas from Spain, highlighting a shift in energy dynamics across North Africa and Southern Europe. As geopolitical tensions persist and new energy agreements reshape the region, Morocco is adjusting its energy supply strategy, increasingly turning to Spain for its natural gas needs.

Rapid growth in gas imports from Spain

According to the Spanish energy media outlet Vozpopuli, Morocco’s natural gas imports from Spain surged in 2024, now accounting for 18.5% of Spain’s total gas exports. This is a sharp rise from 2022 when Moroccan imports represented only 0.1% of Spain’s gas exports. This increase continued through 2023, when the figure had already reached 7.7%, demonstrating Morocco’s growing dependency on Spanish gas infrastructure.

The surge in Spanish gas exports to Morocco reflects broader shifts in regional energy relationships. Following the closure of the Maghreb-Europe pipeline (GME) by Algeria in October 2021, which previously supplied gas to Spain and Morocco, Morocco was forced to seek alternatives. The closure was a result of deteriorating relations between Algeria and Morocco, exacerbating the energy supply issue for the latter.

The role of Spanish LNG infrastructure

Morocco currently lacks the infrastructure needed to import and regasify liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its ports. To overcome this, the country has partnered with Spain to use Spanish LNG terminals and ports to convert imported LNG into natural gas before transporting it back to Morocco via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, now used in reverse.

In June 2024 alone, Spain exported enough natural gas to Morocco to generate 9,338 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, representing a significant increase compared to June 2022. This marked a crucial shift, as Morocco became the largest recipient of Spanish natural gas exports for the first time in January 2024, surpassing traditional markets like Italy.

Geopolitical tensions and energy security concerns

These developments come against the backdrop of continued diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria. Following Algeria’s decision to close the GME pipeline, it warned Spain against redirecting Algerian gas to Morocco. In response, Spain reassured Algeria that none of the gas supplied to Morocco would come from Algerian sources. Spain’s energy company, Enagas, has implemented measures to prevent any mix-up between Algerian gas and LNG destined for Morocco.

This dynamic has also placed additional pressure on Morocco’s energy security. The Kingdom has worked to secure alternative sources of LNG, such as a 2023 deal with British energy giant Shell, which involves the annual import of 500 million cubic meters of LNG for 12 years. The first shipment arrived in Spanish ports in mid-2024, with Spain facilitating its regasification before sending it to Morocco.

Challenges from European sanctions on Russian LNG

Morocco’s increasing reliance on Spanish ports for gas imports is not without challenges. In July 2024, the European Union imposed new sanctions on Russia, including a ban on the re-export of Russian LNG within EU waters. Although Morocco does not receive direct shipments of Russian gas, Spain has been a transit point for Russian LNG headed to Morocco after regasification. With these sanctions in place, Spain’s ability to act as an intermediary in this process is expected to diminish, adding complexity to Morocco’s energy strategy.

Future outlook: Building domestic infrastructure

Recognizing these vulnerabilities, Morocco has taken steps to develop its own gas infrastructure. In April 2024, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development announced plans to build three LNG regasification plants. These facilities, to be located in Nador on the Mediterranean and two ports on the Atlantic, are expected to enhance Morocco’s capacity to directly import, store, and convert LNG, reducing its reliance on third-party nations like Spain.

In the long term, this development will be key to securing Morocco’s energy sovereignty and supporting the Kingdom’s broader goals of decarbonization and economic development.

As Morocco strengthens its energy ties with Spain and adapts to the evolving regional landscape, the Kingdom is pursuing a dual strategy: securing short-term energy supplies while building long-term infrastructure to meet future demands. However, the geopolitical complexities with Algeria and the implications of European sanctions on Russian gas present ongoing challenges, which Morocco will need to navigate carefully in its quest for energy security and sustainability.