Solar Energy Major Source in Algeria's 22,000-Megawatt Additional Renewables Target

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--A study conducted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for Germany's energy ministry reported that Algeria has an annual solar thermal potential of 169.44 terawatt-hours (TWh) and 13.9 TWh of photovoltaic (PV) energy. Based on this data, the country's solar power potential could cover Western Europe's power demand many times over with energy from the Sahara Desert region, which covers 86% of the area of the country.

Algeria's Ministry of Energy and Mines launched an energy efficiency and renewable energy program that could require investments of up to $120 billion. The program's target is to install additional renewable generating capacity of 22,000 megawatts (MW) between 2011 and 2030. Domestic power demand would be supplied with 12,000 MW of the power, while 10,000 MW would be exported.

Working with international partners, the plan envisages about 60 solar PV and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, windfarms and hybrid power plants installed through 2020. Wind energy will contribute 2,000 MW of the total. PV will provide 2,800 MW, and CSP will provide 7,200 MW.

The country already has major partners and technology transfer from abroad from countries including Germany, France, China, Italy and Switzerland.

There are ambitious renewable energy programs in place throughout the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, including the massive, German-led Desertec project, which aims to provide15% of Europe's electricity by 2050 from an interconnected network of solar and windfarms in northern Africa. The power would be transmitted to Europe through special high-voltage, direct-current cables that lose only 3% of the power they carry for every 1,000 kilometers. The estimated investment required for this project is €400 billion ($520 billion), and the system would be self-sustaining financially by 2035.

For additional information, see May 6, 2011 - European Countries Help Algeria Harness Solar Power Potential.

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