As tensions surrounding Ceuta strain bilateral relations, energy statistics reveal a less visible dependency that is emerging between Spain and Morocco. In 2025, Spain is projected to supply approximately 8% of Morocco's electricity demand, along with nearly a quarter of its petroleum imports. Under the Strait of Gibraltar, two interconnections facilitate a direct link between the electrical networks of Morocco and Spain. The first connection has been operational since 1997, while the second has been in place since 2006, collectively providing a capacity of 1,400 megawatts.
According to official data compiled by EFE, Spain exported around 3.9 terawatt-hours of electricity to Morocco in 2025. This volume accounts for 8% of an estimated national demand of 49 TWh. Moreover, the net balance of scheduled exchanges reached 3,743 gigawatt-hours in favor of Spain, marking the highest level since 2017. This trend indicates that for four consecutive years, more electricity has flowed from the Iberian Peninsula to Morocco than in the opposite direction.
Looking ahead to 2026, the trend appears to be continuing. Between January and July, the physical exchanges reported by Red Eléctrica already indicated a Spanish export surplus of 2,600 GWh to Morocco. This situation starkly contrasts with that of 2019, when Morocco became a net exporter of electricity to Spain following the commissioning of new production capacities. The closure of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline in 2021 and the cessation of electricity exchanges with Algeria have further underscored the significance of the Spanish connection for Morocco.
Significant Petroleum Imports from Spain
The dependency on Spain extends beyond electricity. In 2025, Morocco imported over three million tons of petroleum products from Spain, which accounts for approximately 23% of its total imports in this category. Diesel plays a critical role in these exchanges, with 21.5% of the diesel imported by Morocco sourced from Spanish refineries. However, deliveries have diminished by 22.4% over the past year, largely due to the increasing availability of Russian fuel offered at more competitive prices.
Despite the rapid development of renewable energies, petroleum products still represented 51% of Morocco's energy mix in 2025. Consequently, the Kingdom remains vulnerable to external supplies for both its fuels and the stability of its electrical grid. Madrid and Rabat are concurrently working on a third electrical interconnection aimed at enhancing exchange capacities between the two shores. However, current figures highlight that beyond political, migratory, and territorial tensions, a prolonged rupture with Spain would have a direct energy consequence for Morocco.
As reported by bladi.net.
