Marrakech, Morocco — The Moroccan government has unveiled a substantial $600 million investment to enhance its storage infrastructure for butane and jet fuel by 2030, according to Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali. Addressing the House of Representatives, Benali highlighted the necessity for increased storage capacity in light of current shortages, crucial for both household consumption and the aviation sector. Acknowledging that diesel, gasoline, and fuel oil reserves are adequate, Benali outlined a plan to expand storage capacity from the current level of approximately 3.
2 million cubic meters to about 4. 7 million cubic meters by 2030.
The investment will be channelled into new storage capacity and the reintegration of storage tanks from the closed SAMIR refinery into the national fuel storage network.
The government has already taken steps to streamline administrative licensing processes, aiming to accelerate project delivery and increase storage capacity by over 30% since 2021.
The target is to add over 1. 5 million cubic meters of new capacity by 2030, with a third of the investments expected to be completed by 2026.
In response to the existing geographic imbalance, the ministry is directing investments towards other regions, with the Nador West Med port identified as a strategic new hub for fuel and natural gas storage. This move aims to distribute fuel storage capacity more evenly across the country. MP Mohamed Lamkhantar, representing the Haraki parliamentary group, emphasized the importance of the strategic energy reserve for national energy security and called for decisive action to shield consumers from price volatility, particularly in light of geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
While the government has yet to signal any immediate moves towards price regulation, the debate over balancing market liberalization with consumer protection remains a key issue.
As Morocco progresses with its ambitious plan, the country’s energy sector is poised to benefit from enhanced energy security and support for key sectors.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: moroccoworldnews
Source: Adil Faouzi
