Morocco said on Sunday that the Algerian decision not to renew a gas supply contract with Morocco has “little impact” on the national electricity system, Morocco state-run 2M television said, citing a statement by the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water.
The office also added that necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the continuity of electricity supply and that other options are being studied for sustainable alternatives in the medium and long terms, 2M TV reported.
The Gaz-Maghreb-Europe (GME) pipeline linking Algeria and Spain by sea, guarantees an annual supply of around 12 billion cubic meters of gas.
However, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced on Sunday his country’s decision to stop natural gas exports to Spain through Morocco, the official Algerian APS news agency reported.
Last August, Algeria cut diplomatic relations with Morocco, citing what it called hostile actions by its neighbor with which it has had strained relations for decades. Relations between the two countries deteriorated since the US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, where Algeria supports the Polisario Front.
Before this decision, Morocco benefited from 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas, used to produce around 10 percent of the kingdom’s electricity.
Sources in Spain said Algeria’s decision not only targets Rabat’s interests, but was also a “message” that it wanted to deliver to Spain.
They told El Pais newspaper that it “would be wrong for us to believe that the closure of the gas pipeline was solely aimed against Morocco.,” adding that Spain will be a “victim” of Algiers’ decision.
