Morocco is planning to invite bids for a $4.5 billion liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Jorf Lasfar. This step comes as the US Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Morocco's Ministry of Energy to evaluate building an LNG import terminal and regasification facility. Morocco is planning to launch tender, inviting bids for a $4.5 billion liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Jorf Lasfar, a deepwater commercial port located near the city of El Jadida, says Reuters on Monday, 1st of October, quoting the Kingdom's Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development Minister Aziz Rabbah. The plan was announced by Rabbah on the sidelines of an energy conference, he attended today. The Minister refused to give further details on the government's plans, added the British news agency. In 2017, HSBC Middle East Ltd was chosen by Moroccan state-owned power utility ONEE as a financial adviser to strengthen the country's LNG imports. The objective of the ministry is to import more than 7 billion meters of gas by 2025, as well as constructing «a jetty, terminal, pipelines and gas-fired power plants» says Reuters quoting officials. The project is part of Morocco's new strategy, aiming at diversifying fuel supplies and decreasing the use of oil and coal. A grant to evaluate building an LNG import terminal and regasification facility This announcement comes as the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) revealed in a communiqué released last Wednesday, 26th of September, that it awarded a grant to Morocco's Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development. The agency will be backing a feasibility study, conducted to «evaluate building an LNG import terminal and regasification facility that would link to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline», explained the press release. «This study will give the Moroccan authorities factual insight on LNG's future role in the implementation of the Kingdom's energy strategy», said Morocco's Ministry of Energy, Mining and Sustainable Development. «This study will give a factual overview to the Moroccan authorities on the future role of liquefied natural gas in the implementation of the Kingdom's energy strategy», added the same source. The feasibility study will be conducted by Lixia Capsia Gestionis, a business and investment advisory based in Virginia, USA. The firm has an office in Morocco since 2012.
