Morocco is consolidating its energy sovereignty with an investment of €815 million to expand its gas network, announced Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. This ambitious project aims to connect the Nador West Med terminal to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline (GME) and link the industrial hubs of Mohammedia and Kenitra, while strengthening the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and supporting the integration of renewable energies.
During a parliamentary session in the House of Representatives, Leila Benali detailed the allocation of this budget: €213 million will be devoted to modernising the infrastructure of the Nador West Med terminal, while €602 million will finance the extension of more than 120 kilometres of pipelines to Mohammedia and Kenitra. These works, the first stages of which are expected to be completed by 23 July 2025, aim to secure the supply of LNG and connect the country's key industrial areas to the gas network.
This project is part of a broader energy strategy aimed at adding 15 gigawatts (GW) of capacity to the national electricity grid by 2030, 85% of which will come from renewable sources. Natural gas, considered a "transition fuel", will play a key role in ensuring grid flexibility and supporting the growth of green energies, particularly green hydrogen.
Morocco is not content with merely meeting its domestic needs. With a planned capacity of 500 million cubic metres of LNG per year, the country aims to export around half of its production to Europe, where demand for natural gas is constantly growing. The connection of the Nador West Med terminal to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, a strategic axis linking Africa to Europe, positions Morocco as a future regional energy hub. This project also aligns with the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline megaproject, which aims to transport 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year across 13 African countries, thereby strengthening energy ties between Africa and Europe.
Minister Benali highlighted the involvement of 23 public institutions in this project, illustrating a national synergy to strengthen energy sovereignty. In addition to expanding the gas network, Morocco is making progress in the construction of an LNG terminal in Nador, including a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), for which the tender is open until 23 July 2025. This terminal will supply power plants and industrial areas, while integrating into the future trans-African infrastructure.
This programme, which also includes the development of LNG terminals in Dakhla and Mohammedia, is part of a long-term vision to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on imports. However, the success of this initiative depends on securing private financing, completing the work on schedule, and managing regional geopolitical challenges, particularly tensions with Algeria over the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline.
At the same time, Morocco is accelerating its investments in renewable energy, with a target of 52% installed capacity by 2030, supported by solar and green hydrogen projects. This momentum positions the kingdom as a regional leader in the energy transition, while opening up new economic and industrial opportunities.
With this investment of €815 million, Morocco is laying the foundations for a modern and ambitious energy infrastructure, aiming both for national autonomy and a strategic role on the international energy scene.
