In pictures: Completion of the “2000 MW” and “Solar 1000” solar photovoltaic energy projects – Algerian Dialogue

The Minister of Energy and Mines supervises the signing ceremonies of contracts related to companies and customers, who were awarded the tender to complete the “2000 MW” and “Solar 1000” projects of solar photovoltaic energy.

Today, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Algiers, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Mohamed Arkab, supervised the signing ceremonies of contracts related to companies and customers, to whom the tender for the completion of the “2000 MW” and “Solar 1000” solar photovoltaic energy projects was awarded, in the presence of Mrs. The Minister of Environment and Renewable Energies, the Governor of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, the President and Director General of the Sonelgaz Complex, and each of the heads of the Fuel Control Authority and the National Agency for the Valuation of Fuel Resources, in addition to executives from the Ministry and from Sonelgaz, as well as officials of the national and foreign companies concerned.

In his opening speech on this occasion, the Minister noted that by signing contracts for the construction of photovoltaic solar energy stations, Algeria will today take a decisive step and achieve the first stage in embodying the ambitious program to develop renewable energies in the country, not to mention moving towards achieving a secure energy future thanks to the wise leadership of Mr. President. The Republic, by promoting the optimal exploitation of clean and renewable energies, especially solar energy sources, in accordance with the great capabilities that the country enjoys, which the time has come to exploit to diversify our energy mix, preserve our gas resources, and create additional economic value.

In addition to the energy aspect and meeting our growing electricity needs in a clean and sustainable way and contributing significantly to the energy transition, these giant projects are part of a sustainable economic development dynamic by creating thousands of job opportunities and transferring technology and advanced techniques in the field of clean energies.

The Minister also explained that the signing of projects for the completion of solar stations for the two 2023 tenders for the Sonelgaz complex, which come with a total capacity estimated at 3,000 megawatts, distributed as follows:

1. The first tender represents the completion of 15 photovoltaic solar energy stations with a total of 2000 MW, with a capacity ranging from 80 to 220 MW, distributed across 12 states across the country (Bechar, M’Sila, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Batna, Laghouat, Ghardaia, Tiaret, El Oued, Touggourt, Al Mughir, Biskra and Ouled Jalal).

2. The second tender (Solar 1000) includes 5 photovoltaic stations with a total of 1,000 megawatts, with a capacity ranging from 50 to 300 megawatts, distributed across 5 states of the country (Laghouat, Ouargla, Touggourt, El Oued, and Bechar)…

Pointing out in the same context that this stage constitutes a decisive turning point, as we will, for the first time in the history of Algeria, establish 3,000 megawatts of solar energy simultaneously through giant stations that have not yet been completed in Algeria.

For reference, this process comes as a result of the tender announced on February 24, 2023, where the number of candidates reached 140. On July 24, in a public session, the process of opening technical bid envelopes was organized. The session witnessed the participation of 28 companies, which submitted 90 bids, so that the process concluded with the acceptance of 77 bids. Temporarily, including 18 offers from Algerian companies, 9 others submitted by joint institutions, and 50 offers submitted by foreign companies. This process was followed by a session for opening financial bid envelopes on September 25, which took place in the presence of representatives of the participating institutions, and under the supervision of a judicial report. The number of offers reached 73, out of a total of 77 offers that were accepted during the process of opening the envelopes for technical offers. Today we reach the final stage of the first part of the project launch, which is related to signing contracts with 15 companies, including Algerian, foreign and joint ventures. According to the terms of the deals applied to the companies of the Sonelgaz complex, which grant the deal to these companies with regard to the design, engineering, civil engineering works, supply, transportation, assembly, training, testing, and putting 15 solar and photovoltaic energy stations with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts into service, including construction works. Connecting it to the electricity transmission network.