Algeria Solar Power System

Building on the Solar 2,000 MW and Solar 1,000 MW programs launched by Algeria's state-owned company Sonelgaz, which include a wide range of solar energy initiatives, the government aims to diversify its revenue streams and reduce reliance on natural gas, which is currently primarily used for power generation in the country.

Algeria has received 73 bids, both domestic and international, for 15 solar power projects with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW). Sonelgaz, the state-owned electricity and gas distribution company, oversaw the bidding process. Initially, 90 companies were pre-qualified, but this was narrowed down to 73 bids.

Alongside Zergoun, the manufacturer Lagua Solaire has 200 MW of annual capacity for solar panel production in Algeria. The production plant of Algerian telecommunications and renewable energy company Milltech has a facility in Mila, in the east of the country, with a production capacity of 100 MW for M3-based modules. Manufacturing hub

Algeria's Hamdi Eurl won two 80 MW plants and domestic PV panel maker Zergoun, alongside Ozgun, secured 80 MW in Guerara. The 19 projects represent an investment of €1.8 billion ($1.96 billion) and the solar power prices proposed by the bidders ranged from €0.54/W to €0.81/W, with an average price of €0.625/W.

The state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) began building a 300 MW solar power plant in Algeria's Oued Province in March 2024 as part of the Solar 1,000 MW program. The project is slated for completion by late 2025 or early 2026.

The country has an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and global horizontal irradiation of almost 1,700 kWh/m²/year in the north and 2,263 kWh/m²/year in the south. Nevertheless, nearly 100% electrified Algeria generates 99% of its energy from domestic gas.