The Kingdom of Morocco responded late Sunday/Monday to Algeria's decision not to renew the gas transit agreement through the "Maghreb-Europe" pipeline that runs through Moroccan territory. Morocco stated that this Algerian decision would have a negligible impact on the performance of the country's electricity system, noting that it is exploring permanent alternatives.
Moroccan television published a statement from the National Office of Electricity, confirming that due to the nature of neighborly relations with Algeria and in anticipation of this decision, the country has made necessary arrangements to ensure the continuity of electricity supply. Currently, other sustainable alternatives are being studied for both the medium and long terms.
The contract for exporting gas to Spain through the pipeline that passes through Moroccan territory ended on Sunday, October 31, 2021. The pipeline extends over 1,300 kilometers, 540 kilometers of which are within Moroccan territory, allowing Morocco to acquire transit rights amounting to 7% of the volume flowing through the pipeline, which equals 700 million cubic meters on an annual average, accounting for about 65% of Morocco's gas needs, which total 1.3 billion cubic meters annually.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered Sonatrach on Sunday to cease commercial relations and not renew the gas contract with Morocco, according to a statement issued by the Algerian presidency. The presidency's statement added that the halting of commercial relations with Morocco came in response to "aggressive practices by the Kingdom of Morocco towards Algeria that undermine national unity."
