Morocco is preparing to invite bids for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Jorf Lasfar worth $4.5 billion, Energy Minister Aziz Rabbah said on Monday.
The project includes the import of up to 7 billion cubic metres of gas by 2025, and the construction of a jetty, terminal, pipelines and gas-fired power plants, officials have said.
Morocco, a net energy importer, aims to diversify fuel supplies and reduce its dependence on foreign oil and coal.
Jorf Lasfar, where the terminal will be built, is situated on the Atlantic coast near where state-run phosphate company OCP and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co (TAQA) have facilities.
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.
