ALGIERS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Algeria's Energy Ministry announced Saturday that the state-owned mining group Sonarem has signed a "strategic" agreement with renowned battery expert Karim Zaghib to develop a complete lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery value chain in the country.
The Algerian solar power supply chain grew significantly in the last decade and now seeks to add IPP development, engineering and design capabilities, EPC services, inverters manufacturing, storage solution manufacturing, universal certification expertise, and operations and maintenance services.
Will Algeria build a one-gigawatt solar energy project in 2021?
Towards this end, Algeria launched a tender for a one-gigawatt solar energy project in 2021, comprised of building five power generation sites ranging from 50 to 300 MW each.
Who are US companies interested in doing business in Algeria?
U.S. companies interested in doing business in Algeria will primarily interact with SHAEMS, a company owned by Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, created to serve as a one-stop shop for companies pursuing larger IPP renewable energy projects. Upcoming tenders will include Sonelgaz, Sonatrach, AEC, or SHAEMS as the main party to the agreement.
How much electricity does Algeria generate a year?
Algeria currently generates a relatively small amount of its electricity (e.g., three percent or 686 MW annually), from renewable sources, including solar (448 MW), hydro (228 MW), and wind (10 MW).
Does Algeria have solar power?
Regarding solar power potential, Algeria is home to some of the world's highest solar irradiance levels, with the capacity to generate 1,850 to 2,100 kilowatts per hour and up to 3,500 hours per year in its desert regions.