LNG Infrastructure in Motion | L’Economiste

Morocco has taken a decisive step toward advancing its ambition to increase the share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in its energy mix. The Ministry headed by Leïla Benali has officially launched the first Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify partners for the development of the country’s initial LNG infrastructure. This includes a regasification terminal to be built at the Nador West Med port, as well as a network of pipelines connected to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline (GME).

What capacity for the regasification terminal?

The LNG facility, which will be the only one on the Mediterranean coast, is envisioned as a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). The ministry is seeking a partner for its construction and operation. While specific details regarding the facility’s capacity and investment costs have not yet been disclosed, Morocco’s growing appetite for LNG is well documented. In 2024, the country imported 886 million cubic meters of gas (up from 861 million in 2023), representing 9.703 GW surpassing France as Spain’s top LNG customer.

The goal of the platform is to enhance Morocco’s energy competitiveness by reducing reliance on Spanish regasification facilities. The Nador project is part of a broader plan to establish direct LNG import routes, which includes two additional FSRU terminals planned for the Atlantic coast one in either Mohammedia or Jorf Lasfar, and another at the port of Dakhla. To accelerate deployment, the government has opted for a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the bulk of investment to come from domestic and international private sector players.

First Beneficiaries: Kenitra and Mohammedia

As for the gas pipelines, their number and scale have yet to be specified. According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy Transition, “they will be built to connect with the GME in order to supply current and future power plants operated by ONEE, as well as industrial zones stretching to Kenitra and Mohammedia.”

There will likely be four or more pipelines. Two are planned to support the launch of activities in the Tendrara and Anchois gas basins; one will connect to the GME, and another will initially link the Atlantic coast’s industrial hubs Kenitra and Mohammedia with a future extension to the planned Atlantic FSRU terminal at the port of Dakhla.

“These segments will eventually be connected to the future LNG terminals along the Atlantic and to the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline currently under development via the Dakhla port,” the ministry added.

Aziz DIOUF