The Algerian Ministry of Energy plans to launch an international tender to develop 4,255 MW solar capacity by the end of March 2017 or beginning of April 2017, according to the Center for the Development of Renewable Energies (CDER) under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS).
The tendered capacity will be split into three lots of 1,350 MW each. Each of these will have two parts, energy and industrial. Local gas and energy company CEEG is in charge to prepare the call for tenders
Mohamed Arkab, CEO of CEEG, said that the solar capacity will come up in the form of solar power plants of 100 MW or more in the regions of Bechar, El Oued, Ouargla, Biskra, Djelfa and Msila, among others.
For the industrial part, the government plans to have one or more than one manufacturing plant for unspecified solar components being built.
The international tender will require local investors to own the majority share, while foreign partners can own 49% in the entity. Government-owned Sonatrach will acquire a 40% stake in each project and state owned utility Sonelgaz along with other public and private companies from Aegeria will take 11%.
The Ministry of Industry and Mines will designate public and private national companies to partner with Sonelgaz and Entreprise Nationale des Industries Electroniques (ENIE) in these projects.
Investors have to bring in 30% equity,70% can be debt-finance
Sonatrach has already been collaborating with Italy's energy company Eni to co-develop a solar power project in Algeria (see Eni Enters Solar In Algeria).