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Morocco advances regional energy ambitions: Calls for expression of Interest (EOI) in two major Moroccan energy projects — an LNG terminal in Nador West Med (NWM) Port and the African-Atlantic gas pipeline — are planned to be rolled out very soon, Reuters and Morocco’s public news agency MAP reported, citing Energy Minister Leila Benali’s remarks in the Moroccan Parliament. The two projects are part of Morocco’s bid to redraw the region’s energy landscape and turn the Kingdom into a major energy hub connecting Africa and Europe.
#1- Nador’s LNG Terminal: The Moroccan government will solicit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) this week for the first phase of a floating storage and regasification unit (FRSU) in NWM Port, Reuters reported, citing Benali. The LNG terminal will import some 500 mn cbm of LNG per year from Spanish terminals, as well as connect to industrial zones in the western cities of Kenitra and Mohammedia, Benali added.
A link in Morocco’s LNG chain: The LNG terminal at NWM Port will connect to the Maghreb Europe Gas Pipeline via a USD 400 mn, 120 km pipeline built by Moroccan mining outfit Managem and oil and gas player Sound Energy, Morocco World News reported in January. Sound Energy is also setting up Morocco’s first LNG processing facility near Tendrara’s gas field, with investments of USD 160 mn. The facility will have an initial capacity of 10 mn cubic feet and will enter the market by late 2025.
We knew this was coming: Moroccan governmental bodies inked an MoU last year to set up NWM Port’s LNG terminal, aiming to accelerate the development of renewable energies, Morocco’s green hydrogen capacity, and the African-Atlantic gas pipeline project.
#2- Rabat to link Dakhla and African-Atlantic gas pipeline: Morocco’s Energy Ministry is finalizing a call for EOIs for a pipeline project to link the Western Saharan city of Dakhla to the planned African-Atlantic gas pipeline, MAP reported on Monday, citing comments by Benali. The African-Atlantic pipeline’s first phase connecting Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco is also advancing, with feasibility and design studies wrapped and environmental and social impact assessments currently underway, Map reported.
On the pipeline: Formerly known as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, the 6.8k km African-Atlantic gas pipeline — previously reported to be 5.6k km in length — will transport up to 30 bn cbm annually, with an investment ticket of around USD 25 bn, MAP reported, citing Benali. The pipeline — first conceived when Nigeria and Morocco signed a joint venture in 2016 — is backed by the Economic Community of West African States, Reuters reported last year. The project is planned to encompass Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, Morocco World News reported in 2022.
