Morocco Seeks Alternative Gas Supplies After Pipeline Shutdown

On Monday, the issue of the GME shutdown was discussed during a session devoted to the national energy strategy in parliament.

Responding to the concerns of the elected representatives, the Minister of Energy Transition, Leila Benali, indicated that for the time being, this interruption has not had immediate repercussions on the supply of electricity at the national level. "In recent days, the supply of electricity has continued to be ensured in a normal way, thanks to the installed national capacity, supported by a drop in electricity demand due to the health crisis," she assured.

However, she stressed, her department "has opened consultations with actors at the regional and international level to establish a sustainable and effective system for managing the supply of the domestic natural gas market," thus confirming the desire to strengthen the weight of natural gas in the national energy mix.

Furthermore, the process for the construction of a floating storage and regasification unit for liquefied natural gas (FSRU), initiated by the government, is continuing, she said, adding that the call for expressions of interest has generated strong enthusiasm from national and international investors.

This floating unit will make it possible to meet all of Morocco’s natural gas needs, which should reach more than 3 billion cubic meters per year by 2040. It will help strengthen and diversify the supply sources of the energy system, thus contributing to improving the competitiveness of the national economy, the minister specified.