British Firm Plans Gas Pipeline from Morocco to Spain, Bypassing Algeria

The non-renewal of the GME forces Morocco to accelerate the implementation of its energy policy. The kingdom plans to install 3,900 MW of renewable energy and increase the use of natural gas by 2030 in order to reduce CO₂ emissions. This, thanks to the British company Sound Energy which intends to supply the Moroccan market with gas and even export the surplus to Spain and Portugal.

To read: Sound Energy and Afriquia Gaz Partner to Commercialize Natural Gas in Morocco

Initially, the British company plans to entrust Italfluid with the construction of a small liquefied natural gas plant. In this regard, it has already concluded an agreement with Afriquia Gaz, a company holding 44% of the country’s market, to start production of this gas within the next 24 months. In a second step, Sound Energy will commission a new gas pipeline to connect the Tendara source to the GME, reports El Economista.

To read: Morocco Explores Spanish LNG Option as Algeria Pipeline Deal Nears Expiry

This new 120-kilometer-long infrastructure should have a transport capacity of 67,000 m³/h and a diameter of 20 inches. Enagas and Elecnor have been involved in this project since 2018. The Moroccan authorities, for their part, have already signed the necessary permits with the British company to start the work. In addition, Morocco plans, in the medium term, to build a gas pipeline connecting it to Nigeria.

Algeria’s decision not to renew the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco creates a loss of nearly 80 million euros for the Spanish company Naturgy which operated this pipeline.