Spain's Energy Exports to Morocco: A Critical Situation
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain has unexpectedly become a crucial supplier of between 15% and 20% of Morocco's electricity consumption. This is accomplished via a gas pipeline that enables King Mohammed VI to ensure a stable electricity supply through his natural gas power plants. However, the situation becomes even more alarming considering that during Morocco's aggressive actions towards Ceuta, Sánchez has not ordered a halt on supplying energy to a country currently laying claim to Spanish territory. Instead, throughout August, Spain exported 790 GWh of electricity per month to Morocco, as confirmed by official data from Enagás, highlighting a troubling dependency.
The Implications of Spain's Energy Policy
Spain lacks a stable energy connection infrastructure with Ceuta, yet it maintains a robust supply line to Morocco, which desperately needs energy to sustain its economic activities. The ongoing invasion of Ceuta has exposed Spain's submission to Rabat's interests, particularly in the energy sector. The pipeline connecting Morocco to Spain (Tarifa) has continued to deliver significant energy resources, illustrating that Spain is inadvertently bolstering its adversary's capabilities. This energy flow amounts to nearly the total extra gas exports that Spain had managed to secure from Algeria after extensive negotiations with the Algerian government. The unfortunate reality is that this surplus natural gas is ultimately fueling the very nation that poses a threat to Spanish sovereignty.
In recent months, Sánchez has attempted to assure Algeria that, despite Spain's concessions to Morocco—Algeria's historical rival—it can still be a reliable partner. Interestingly, despite Spain's controversial decisions regarding Western Sahara, Algeria has increased its natural gas exports to Spain over the past year, a notable move since this gas is typically negotiated at a more favorable rate than international market prices. However, the stark reality of Spain's subservience to Rabat is evident; the entire increase in gas imports from Algeria via the Medgaz pipeline—Spain's energy lifeline to Algeria—has coincided with heightened energy demands from Morocco, especially during the ongoing invasion.
Enagás, the operator of gas in Spain, has reported a rise in imports from Algeria over the past year—from 9,123 GWh/month to 9,897 GWh/month—an increase of 774 GWh/month. This surge is significant, reflecting Spain's growing energy vulnerability, which has already manifested in large-scale blackouts and partial outages affecting various regions, including the Canary Islands. As Spain grapples with renewable energy instability, it has resorted to natural gas power plants, leading to unprecedented gas consumption at a time when prices are soaring. Disturbingly, all of this increase in natural gas imports is being utilized to support Moroccan interests amidst the invasion. Enagás data indicates that Spain is exporting natural gas that exceeds the volume of Algerian gas being imported, essentially supplying energy to Morocco while it engages in hostile actions against Spain.
The Medgaz underwater pipeline, which connects Algeria directly to Spain along the Almería coast, serves as a strategic asset for Spain's electrical infrastructure. Spanning over 200 kilometers beneath the Mediterranean Sea, reaching depths of up to 2,000 meters, it has now also become vital for Morocco's energy needs amid ongoing tensions. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of rising electricity bills for Spanish citizens, adding further complexity to an already contentious energy landscape. As reported by libertaddigital.com.
