Renewable Energy

Chinese companies spearhead Algeria’s solar drive

April 9, 2025, 4:44 PM

Algerian energy minister Mohamed Arkab. Renewable sources currently account for just 1 percent of Algeria’s energy mix

China building 9 of 15 facilities
Two projects just broke ground
Aim for 27% renewables in energy mix

Algeria has broken ground on two new solar power projects over the past week as part of a drive to build 15 plants with the help of Chinese companies.

The drive aims to largely expand the use of renewable energy and release oil and gas for export by the Opec producer.

Renewable sources currently account for just 1 percent of the North African nation’s energy mix.

The latest projects are expected to add 3,200 megawatts (MW) – enough to power roughly 2.5 million homes – to installed capacity, according to the official Algerian news agency.

On Saturday the agency reported that a new project was launched in the Northern Bechar province with a capacity of 220MW a few days after officials broke ground on another 200MW plant in the western Tindouf province.

“It is a joint venture with a Chinese partner and will cost around $52 million,” the agency added, saying it would be completed in 2026.

It did not specify the partner but Algerian officials said in early 2025 the plant would be constructed by PowerChina.

Another plant with a capacity of 80MW in North Algeria is being built by a consortium led by China Electricity and Water Company.

Algeria, a major gas power, launched an auction for 15 solar power projects in 2023 within phase 1 of a programme stretching until 2035. The auction was dominated by Chinese companies which will develop nine such projects.

The country, which is expanding its oil output capacity to more than 1.1 million barrels per day, aims to increase the share of renewable sources in its energy mix to 27 percent by 2025 with the production of around 15 gigawatts.