Moroccan gas imports from Spain through the Greater Middle East pipeline began last June and quadrupled in seven months to 1,512 GWh. To fill the energy gap created by Algeria’s unilateral closure of the Greater Middle East, Rabat signed an agreement with Madrid to transport liquefied natural gas, which is bought on the international market and diverted to gas regasification plants in Spain.

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Spikes in gas imports were recorded in August, September and October, according to reports EFE. Spain became an exporter of electricity for the first time since 2015 and almost doubled its net electricity production compared to 11,777 GWh in 2008. At the end of 2022, according to data from system operator REE, Spain had a positive balance (exports minus imports) of 19 billion megawatt hours.

In the last seven months of 2022, Morocco exported less electricity to Spain, 1,404 GWh, compared to 0.5 GWh in the same period a year earlier. According to the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance, electricity consumption between July and November last year amounted to 11,700 GWh, and Spanish electricity exports covered 9.5% of demand, up from just 2.7% in the previous year.

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Morocco has benefited in recent years from the Covid-19-induced decline in international energy prices. Morocco’s electricity and water company ONEE produces 25% of the kingdom’s total energy, 85% of which comes from thermal power plants operated by individuals. The kingdom has also been investing in renewable energy since 2010. By the end of 2021, according to data from the consulting firm ICMEX, about 4,000 megawatts of green energy had been produced.