Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, stated that Morocco has reached a pivotal stage in its energy history, emphasizing that developing the natural gas infrastructure has become a strategic option to support energy sovereignty and achieve sustainable transition.
During the oral question session at the House of Councillors on Tuesday, she confirmed that natural gas plays a central role in the national energy system, thanks to its role in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing the resilience of the electric grid, integrating renewable energies, and contributing to strengthening the national industrial fabric.
Benali highlighted that Morocco successfully entered the international gas market for the first time in 2022 by adapting the Maghreb-European gas pipeline to meet new technical and operational requirements and exploiting the Ain Beni Mathar station, which contributes about 10% of the national electricity production.
Regarding infrastructure, the minister mentioned signing a memorandum of understanding in March 2024 with 11 ministries and public institutions to ensure coordination in implementing this strategic project. She also noted the launch of a call for expressions of interest to develop a liquefied natural gas terminal at the Nador West Med port and connect it to industrial corridors and power stations in Kenitra, Mohammedia, and the coastal region of Dakhla, linked to the African Atlantic gas pipeline project.
Benali stressed the importance of private sector engagement in financing these projects, indicating that the cost of linking the Nador terminal to the Moroccan-European pipeline requires significant financing with multi-party contributions.
She added that the ministry has been working to expedite the exploitation of natural gas discoveries, in accordance with legal and environmental regulations, along with preparing a draft law to regulate the import, distribution, and storage of gas, which has been submitted to the government’s secretariat for public discussion.
Benali concluded by affirming that developing the national gas infrastructure represents a priority for enhancing energy security, reducing external dependency, and supporting an industrial transformation based on green investments and value-added technologies.
