Algeria

The French group and the Algerian gas and power provider will team up in the areas of solar PV technology and energy efficiency. Sonatrach is also the state-owned entity responsible for the implementation of Algeria’s solar and renewable energy targets, and for the launch of the long-awaited 4 GW auction for PV.

The U.S. President’s proclamation provides a path for specific products to apply for exemption from tariffs, which had been sought by both SunPower and the government of South Korea. Additionally, imports from a number of developing nations are exempt as long as import levels remain small.

The two oil and gas companies, which started the construction of their first PV project in May, are now identifying sites at Sonatrach’s facilities in Algeria, with the aim of building more large-scale solar power plants.

The project will be developed by local renewable energy developer Soliwind. Around 30% of the energy needs of the airport will be covered by the power output of the PV system.

The country’s new minister for renewable energy said that a special committee for the tender will be now established, and that the results of the review will be published together with her new action plan for renewables.

The new solar energy cluster will host small and medium-sized solar enterprises, as well as research institutes and local mining companies. Meanwhile, the Algerian government has named the former CEO of state-owned utility Sonelgaz as energy minister.

The Algerian Minister of Energy said that the reference price for the first round of the upcoming auction is not expected to surpass 4 DZD/kWh (approximately $0.04/kWh).

Algeria’s prime minister has inaugurated the country’s second solar module manufacturing facility in Batna. The French-Algerian module maker intends to double the factory’s capacity to 60 MW at a later stage.

Algeria’s government has published the long-awaited decree implementing the 4 GW solar auction in the country’s official journal. The decree provides more details on the upcoming bid for large-scale PV projects.