Algeria rejects Spain's plea to reopen Maghreb gas pipeline

Wednesday 19 November 2025 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Algeria rejects Spain's plea to reopen Maghreb gas pipeline

Algeria has firmly dismissed Spain's request to reinstate the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, which was shut down in 2021 amid diplomatic tensions over the Sahara dispute. The pipeline, once a vital route for transporting Algerian gas through Morocco to Europe, has become a focal point in the strained relationship between Algiers and Madrid.

According to Spanish news outlet Okdiario, Spain and other European nations have urged Algeria to reopen the pipeline to diversify Europe's energy supply. However, Algerian authorities have labeled these requests as “useless attempts,” maintaining their stance against such measures.

The closure of the Maghreb pipeline was Algeria's response to Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for the Sahara. Algiers viewed Madrid's support as a betrayal of its position on the region, where Algeria backs the Polisario Front, a separatist group advocating for independence. As part of its retaliation, Algeria also suspended its friendship treaty with Spain in 2022, further deepening the rift.

Despite the pipeline shutdown, Spain’s gas exports to Morocco have surged. Data from the Corporation for Strategic Reserves of Petroleum Products reveals that Morocco has become the second-largest recipient of Spanish gas after France. In June alone, Morocco imported 858 GWh of natural gas, accounting for 35.5% of Spain’s total gas exports, far outpacing France's 354 GWh.

Morocco’s growing reliance on Spanish gas reflects its broader strategy of diversifying energy sources. Alongside imports, the country is heavily investing in renewable energy. Currently, renewable resources supply over 45% of Morocco’s electricity, with plans to reach 52% well before its 2030 target.

The Maghreb-Europe pipeline remains a symbol of the geopolitical struggles involving Algeria, Morocco, and Spain, with energy and territorial disputes intertwining in complex ways. As Europe seeks alternatives to Russian gas, the closure of the pipeline underscores the challenges of balancing diplomacy and energy security in the region.