Algeria, the energy pillar of the Maghreb, has long been recognized for its hydrocarbon wealth and its leading role in Europe’s natural gas supply. With this expertise, it has developed considerable technical and industrial know-how in the energy sector over the decades. This regional leadership position has been built through massive investments in infrastructure and training, allowing the country to control the entire value chain, from exploration to distribution. Today, Algeria is no longer content to export its raw resources but aims to position itself as a key player in the supply of energy equipment and solutions on an international scale.
Sonelgaz: an energy giant with global ambitions
The Sonelgaz group, the flagship of the Algerian energy industry, is undergoing a remarkable strategic transformation. Far from being limited to its historical role as a producer and distributor of electricity, the public company is transforming itself into an industrial conglomerate with international ramifications. This bold diversification is reflected in a range of products ranging from gas turbines to digital electricity meters, including charging stations for electric vehicles.
The export of gas turbines to Iraq perfectly illustrates this new dynamic. The recent delivery of a second 300 MW unit to the Taurus Arm For Power Generation company demonstrates Sonelgaz’s competitiveness in demanding markets. This contract, the result of an agreement signed in 2021, is only the tip of a global strategy aimed at positioning the group as a supplier of turnkey energy solutions.
Diversification in all directions
Sonelgaz ‘s rise on the international stage is not limited to turbines. The Algerian group has been able to take advantage of the global energy transition to position itself in promising segments. The export of charging stations for electric vehicles is a striking example. With an order for 433 units intended for the Libyan and Italian markets, Sonelgaz demonstrates its ability to meet the needs of rapidly changing mobility.
This breakthrough in the field of electromobility is accompanied by an offensive in the smart meter sector. The El-Eulma production unit has thus inaugurated its exports to Tunisia, paving the way for new opportunities in the region. These commercial successes demonstrate the relevance of the investments made by Sonelgaz in the modernization of its industrial tool and the training of its teams.
A model of industrial development
Sonelgaz ‘s international expansion is part of a broader vision of diversifying the Algerian economy. By becoming an exporter of high-value-added technologies and equipment, the group is helping to reduce the country’s dependence on hydrocarbons. This industrial strategy, which combines strategic partnerships – such as the one established with GE Vernova – and the development of local skills, could serve as a model for other sectors of the national economy.
The impact of this transformation goes beyond the economic aspects alone. By positioning itself as a major player in the energy transition, Sonelgaz is contributing to Algeria’s technological influence. The skills developed in cutting-edge fields such as smart grids and renewable energies could, in time, make the country an innovation hub for the entire region.
Sonelgaz ‘s conquest of new markets reflects the ambition of an Algeria that is seeking to reinvent itself. From an exporter of raw materials, the country aspires to become a supplier of global energy solutions. This strategic shift, if carried out successfully, could not only consolidate Algeria’s place as a regional energy power but also propel it to the rank of a leading industrial player on the international scene.
