Algeria Preps For 1 GW Solar Tender

• Algeria has zeroed in on 11 sites in the country to host 1 GW of solar power capacity
• The 1 GW PV capacity under the project Solar 1000 is to be tendered by the end of 2021
• Sites selected will be located in the provinces of El Bayadh, Ouargla, El Oued, El M'Ghair, Ghardaia and Bechar

The Algerian Ministry of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies has selected 11 sites for 1 GW of solar energy capacity, to be deployed under the government program dubbed Solar 1000, and awarded through a competitive tender process.

The sites that will host this 1 GW capacity are located in El Bayadh, Ouargla, El Oued, El M'Ghair, Ghardaia and Bechar provinces, representing a total of 4,250 hectares, according to a government announcement. Projects will be spread out as small power stations with 50 MW capacity range.

Sites were selected by the authorities after checking for land availability and grid connection facilities. While there will be participation of the Ministry of Finance to make the project attractive for investors as well as that of the Ministry of Industry to fit in local content requirements.

To execute and implement the project, the government is looking at establishing a dedicated renewable energy company called Shaems. Currently, the government machinery is getting the necessary work done before it can launch the tender officially, whose timeline is estimated as the end of 2021, stated a ministry statement quoted by local media.