Algeria has taken an important step in the implementation of its strategy to produce 15,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2035 and reduce dependence on hydrocarbons for electricity production.
In this context, the Electricity and Gas Company “Sonelgaz”, through its subsidiary “Sonelgaz – Renewable Energies”, yesterday launched a national and international call for tenders for the realization of a project to set up 15 solar power plants in several governorates of the country.
Diversify energy sources
A statement from the Algerian company revealed that the projects are spread across 11 states. With a production capacity of between 80 and 220 megawatts, for a total capacity of 2,000 megawatts.
Thus, Sonelgaz’s announcement comes after several delays that lasted more than a year to launch the solar energy project in Algeria, which was called “Solar 1000”. Which was to be implemented by the Shams company of the Ministry of Energy Transition before its merger with the Ministry of the Environment.
Sonelgaz stressed that the launch of the project through its subsidiary “Sonelgaz – Renewable Energies” will allow the realization of the energy transition program in Algeria and will usher in a new era of clean and sustainable energies.
Sonelgaz expressed its full readiness to implement the solar energy program in Algeria in order to secure the growing demand for local consumption and export ambition in the future and to contribute to the diversification of non-hydrocarbon exports.
Diversify energy sources
Algeria’s energy transition will also allow the gradual elimination of dependence on traditional resources. As well as the preservation and development of fossil resources.
The tender marks the start of the implementation of the renewable energy development program, which will have a total capacity of 15,000 megawatts by 2035.
The establishment of these stations also allows the emergence of a fabric of startups that will be involved in the realization of the project.
Finally, it should be noted that Algeria was to start producing the first quantity of electricity produced by solar energy during the month of January 2023. But the disruption in the opening of project envelopes and the selection of agreements thwarted the state plans to start the first solar energy projects in the country.
