Spanish Newspaper El Nacional: “For These Reasons, Madrid Will Pay a Heavy Price to Algeria”

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | June 17th, 2024 — “Algeria is not in a rush to make Spain pay a heavy price for its reversed position on the Western Sahara issue, because its dependence on Algerian gas will continue at least until 2035.” This is how the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional” commented on the state of relations between Madrid and Algeria in the wake of the reversed position on the Western Sahara issue announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in March 2022 and his announcement of support for the Makhzanian proposal regarding so-called “autonomy.”

The newspaper explained that the Algerian government, despite its extreme annoyance at Spain’s repositioning on the Western Sahara issue, is aware that Pedro Sanchez’s government has inadvertently prepared a gift for Algeria, which it will soon reap.

Algeria’s Strategic Advantage

“Algeria, a major gas producer, will be the biggest beneficiary of the politically and economically inappropriate decision, which will put an end to the nuclear electricity production industry in Spain by 2035,” the newspaper said. The Madrid government has adopted a plan to phase out nuclear power reactors permanently by 2035. The first dismantling of this type of station began in June 2022, with the Zurita reactor, which has a capacity of 142 megawatts.

In its report issued on Monday, June 10, 2024, the newspaper considered that with the completion of the plan to dismantle nuclear reactors, the Spanish energy system will remain in need of reserve capabilities. These are essential to guarantee supply when renewable energy systems fail to produce energy due to insufficient storage facilities. The only feasible solution will be gas-fired power plants.

Algeria’s Calculated Patience

“They are aware of this situation in Algeria, and for this reason, their reaction to the recent measures taken by the Spanish government regarding the Maghreb was not as angry as expected,” the newspaper said. Algeria’s position is clear in this regard, aligning with Econuclearis, a Spanish association defending the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity. Econuclearis stressed a few weeks ago that gas is a basic element in the energy transition process.

The Role of Algerian Gas

Algeria, which is rich in gas and has been a supplier to Europe since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, has a goal. This was announced at the Forum of Heads of Gas Exporting Countries in Algiers at the end of February 2024: “to create a space to preserve natural gas as a low-pollution fuel necessary for the energy transition.”

The newspaper stressed that in the absence of sufficient hydraulic pumping systems projects to ensure an energy mix based solely on renewable energies, and with nuclear power plants destined for dismantling, countries like Spain have no alternative but gas-fired power plants to ensure continuous supply.

Spain’s Increasing Dependence on Algerian Gas

The report concluded that Algeria’s pivotal role as a major gas supplier will inevitably grow, not just because of Spain’s capabilities to re-gasify and redistribute liquefied gas throughout Europe, but also due to Spain’s own growing needs for gas and energy.

El Nacional highlighted that Algerian authorities issued a clear warning that they would not tolerate any additional cubic meters of their gas ending up in Morocco, a significant destination for Spanish gas exports.

Economic Implications for Spain

The newspaper concluded that in Algeria, which is one of the most stable countries in the Arab world, there is complete awareness that among all the alternatives available for supplying gas to Spain, the Algerian alternative is the best. Algeria boasts the largest gas reserves on the African continent, particularly in the Hassi R’Mel field. Additionally, this energy source causes fewer carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal and oil.

Quoting the Spanish association “Econucleares,” which advocates for nuclear energy to produce electricity, the newspaper noted: “If the nuclear plants are closed, we Spaniards will pay a high price for electricity and will be subject to foreign parties.”

It added, “Algeria, mistreated by the government of Pedro Sanchez, will inevitably try to collect its debts,” implying that the debt repayment to the Madrid government will be substantial, both economically and politically.

Conclusion

Algeria’s approach to Spain’s policy shift on Western Sahara highlights a sophisticated understanding of geopolitical and economic interdependencies. By leveraging its critical role as a gas supplier, Algeria is poised to reap long-term benefits, ensuring that its strategic interests are safeguarded while subtly influencing Spain’s policy decisions. This dynamic underscores the importance of energy security in shaping international relations and the intricate balance of power within the region.

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