Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Minister Leila Benali told Parliament that expanding Morocco's natural-gas sector is vital for energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and the smooth integration of renewables into the national grid. Gas, she said, is a low-carbon «bridge fuel» that can cut industrial costs, spur broad-based growth, and create sustainable jobs, especially as global carbon-neutrality rules tighten. Benali outlined a comprehensive LNG roadmap drafted with 11 ministries and five public bodies. A March 2024 memorandum of understanding coordinates new infrastructure for LNG import, storage, and transport. Key projects include: - Nador West Med LNG terminal linked to a national pipeline network that will connect the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, power plants, and industrial zones in Nador, Kenitra, and Mohammedia, before extending to future Atlantic-coast terminals and the planned Nigeria-Morocco offshore line. - Call for expressions of interest (open until 23 July 2025) to gather investor input ahead of construction tenders. Estimated costs: $273 million for the Nador-to-Maghreb-Europe connection; $638.7 million for the Mohammedia spur; and $42.5 million for a secondary network serving Kenitra and Mohammedia. Legislatively, a draft law on importing, storing, transporting, and distributing natural gas has been sent to the General Secretariat after public consultation. It sets a transparent, investor-friendly framework, clarifies stakeholders' roles, and defines penalties for violations.
