The Moroccan and Spanish power companies, ONE and REE, have agreed to increase the power connection between the two countries. Under a convention signed Tuesday in Madrid during King Mohammed VI's visit to Spain, joint feasibility studies will start immediately.
The project well help increase the profitability of the Thadart power station that the Moroccan power company will launch in the northern city of Tangier in partnership with Spanish ENDESA firm and a third partner to be designated by a tender.
The Moroccan-Spanish power connection, which was launched in 1998, seeks to improve power services in the two countries. The liaison capacity helps convey more than 2.5 billion KW/H of energy annually to Morocco. The volume equals all ONE's yearly output.
The supply of energy also contributed to meet 17.5 percent of Moroccan energy demand in 1999, representing a financial amount of $75 million. The Moroccan-Spanish connection, coupled with the shift to 400,000 volts in the major power lines of Morocco's power grid, is part of a larger program
for the creation of a Mediterranean power market.
The two countries are linked with another power grid that includes Algeria. The project is part of an overall Mediterranean energy project, relying mainly on gas. A Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline conveys Algerian gas to Spain and Portugal via Morocco. The pipeline is yet to be enlarged to bring
Maghreban gas to all European markets. – (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
