Solar Power Underpins Algeria's $120 Billion Energy Program

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Solar power-sourced energy forms the foundation for Algeria's energy efficiency and renewable energy program, which was launched in 2011. The $120 billion program targets the installation of an additional 22,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable-sourced generating capacity between 2012 and 2030.

Of this total, 12,000 MW will be intended for the domestic market and 10,000 MW will go toward exports, which will include distribution through the pan-MENA (Middle East-North Africa) Desertec project. Algeria will require technology transfer and international partners to achieve these goals.

Algeria is estimated to have an annual concentrating solar power potential of 169.440 terawatt hours (tWh). The government estimates that the solar energy potential from the Sahara Desert could cover the energy demands of Western Europe 60 times over. The desert covers 86% of Algeria's territory.

By 2020, the program targets the installation of 60 solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, windfarms and hybrid power plants. Of the 12,000 MW intended for domestic use between 2012 and 2030, about 2,000 MW is to be sourced from windfarms, 2,800 MW from photovoltaic and 7,200 MW from other solar technologies, including CSP.

Currently, Algeria has more than 10,000 MW of installed power capacity, of which 98% is fired by natural gas and only 4% produced by solar photovoltaic.

State-owned power and gas utility Sonelgaz has plans to invest $8 billion to construct 10 power plants by 2018, with three of the total producing 5,200 MW between them. The utility also has launched a tender to add 2,800 MW by upgrading existing units from 2013-15.

With demand for power in the country growing at a rate of up to 4% annually, these increments of power for the domestic market will be fully taken up by 2020. For more information, see November 30, 2011, article - Giant Desertec Solar Project Boosted by Medgrid Alliance.

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