Algeria To Launch 170 MW RE Tender

• Algeria is planning to launch a tender that will auction around 170 MW of renewable energy capacity
• It will comprise 2 projects with a capacity of 25 MW each in the south of the country and will be tendered by local electricity utility Sonelgaz
• Another 100 MW to 120 MW is also expected to be tendered, but it is not known where this capacity will be located
• No other information, specifically regarding the timeline of the tender procedure or when the capacity will be commissioned, is available yet

Algeria is planning to issue a renewable energy tender. According to reports, this will include 2 projects with 25 MW of capacity each and will be tendered by local electricity utility Sonelgaz in the southern region of the North African nation. The PV projects are aimed at helping the utility reduce its consumption of diesel. Another 100 MW to 120 MW will reportedly also be auctioned, but it is not known where this capacity will be located. Algeria's Minister of Energy Mustapha Guitouni recently announced the plans, reported Portail Algerien des Energies Renouvelables.

Algeria was supposed to have launched an international tender for 4,255 MW of solar power capacity in 2017, as announced last year (see Algeria 4 GW PV Tender Soon). But nothing has moved on that front as yet. Nonetheless, the government published a decree in the official gazette about holding renewable energy auctions.

State-backed energy company Sonatrach's CEO Abdelmoumene Ould Kaddour recently said the company wants to focus on solar power in collaboration with foreign partners. He said the company will unveil its long-term strategy for the firm on April 30, 2018. "We have invested to get 1.6 GW, we definitely need to focus on solar," said Kaddour, according to Reuters.

Algeria wants to expand its share of renewable power generation capacity to 25 GW by 2030. In 2015, nearly 98% of electricity was produced by fossil fuels.