Morocco: Algeria’s use of alternative gas pipeline will not affect our supplies 

Morocco has said Algeria’s decision not to supply natural gas to Rabat will have “little impact on the performance of the national electricity system”, an official statement has said.

“The decision announced by the Algerian authorities not to renew the agreement on the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline will currently have only a minimal impact on the performance of the national electricity system,” the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water said a joint statement.

The statement noted that “in anticipation of this decision, the necessary arrangements had been taken to ensure the continuity of the country’s supply of electricity.”

The statement explained that “other options for sustainable alternatives are currently being studied, in the medium and long term.”

The 13.5 billion cubic-metre (bcm) Maghreb-Europe pipeline links Algeria to Spain. The contract for its use ended yesterday with Algeria deciding to supply Spain through the Medgaz undersea pipeline, which does not go through Morocco.

Under the previous agreement, Rabat received royalties worth 0.5 billion cubic metres of gas, which make up half the country’s consumption.

READ: Spain may provide Morocco with gas from Algeria