Morocco will soon launch a tender for its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal near the Mediterranean city of Nador.
Energy Minister Leila Benali announced the move Monday, revealing the government’s intent to issue an expression of interest within days.
The terminal, part of a larger strategy to reduce coal dependence, will feed into Morocco’s growing network of industrial zones.
It will connect to an existing pipeline that currently channels half a billion cubic meters of gas from Spanish terminals.
Benali said the terminal would serve areas near the Atlantic cities of Kenitra and Mohammedia, though she provided no additional specifics.
The planned infrastructure is a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at the under-construction Nador West Med deepwater port.
Reuters first reported on the project in May, citing unnamed ministry officials familiar with the development.
The ministry has yet to respond to requests for further comment on the terminal’s timeline or capacity.
Morocco’s demand for natural gas is projected to rise sharply, from 1 billion cubic meters today to 8 billion by 2027.
In parallel, the state electricity utility ONEE adopted a plan to boost installed capacity by 15 gigawatts between 2025 and 2030.
The vast majority of that—13 gigawatts—will come from renewable sources like solar and wind energy.
Minister Benali said the expansion would require an estimated investment of 120 billion dirhams, roughly $13 billion.
Morocco’s current renewable energy capacity stands at 5.5 gigawatts, covering 45% of installed power generation.
The kingdom aims to lift that share to 52% by 2030, signaling a determined pivot toward cleaner and more diversified energy.