Sustainability has become a global topic in the 21st century. It is not only beneficial for the planet, but also for our mental and physical health. As the Earth provides us with clean air to breathe and food to eat, it is our responsibility to take care of it for future generations to enjoy as we have.
The world’s largest hydrocarbon producers are investing more and more in renewable energies and paying particular attention to the development of alternative energy sources, without abandoning the exploitation of fossil fuels.
Algeria, the continent country known by its richness of natural resources such as petrol, gaz, silver and other metals.. Algeria has always committed to use these resources intelligently and minimize its harm to nature and use green alternatives.
Algeria has dedicated itself to renewable energies to provide long-term, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and the problems of preserving finite energy resources, through the launch of an ambitious programs for the development of renewable energies, which was adopted by the government in February 2011, revised in May 2015 and made a national priority in February 2016.
Given its geographical location, Algeria has one of the highest solar deposits in the world. The duration of insolation over almost the entire national territory exceeds 2,000 hours annually and can reach 3,900 hours (high plateaus and Sahara).
Energy efficiency is set to play a key role in the national energy context, which can be characterized by strong growth in domestic electricity consumption, and with the construction of new housing, the realization of public utility infrastructure and the revival of industry, it is becoming difficult to control electricity consumption. That’s why the Ministry of Energy has launched a renewable energy program, aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens, but also providing an appropriate response to the challenge of energy conservation, with its beneficial implications for the national economy, in terms of job creation and wealth, in addition to preserving the environment. The program focuses on consumption sectors that have a significant impact on energy demand. These are mainly buildings, transport and industry.
For the domestic sector:
The program aims to encourage the implementation of innovative practices and technologies around the thermal insulation of existing and new buildings. Appropriate measures will be taken in the architectural design phase of housing.
The aim is also to encourage the mass penetration of efficient equipment and appliances on the local market, in particular solar water heaters and energy-saving lamps: the objective being to improve the interior comfort of homes by using less energy.
The establishment of a local industry for thermal insulation and high-performance equipment and appliances (solar water heaters; energy-saving lamps) is one of the keys to developing energy efficiency in this sector.
The aim of this strategy is to save half of the energy consumed by citizens and to reduce the energy bill of local authorities through Thermal insulation, solar water heaters, low-energy light bulbs (LBC) and public lighting: installation of solar panels above public lighting fixtures.
For the transport sector:
The program aims to promote the most available green fuels (e.g. green hydrogen, which can be produced from renewable electricity), in this case GPLc(liquefied petroleum gas) and GNc (compressed natural gas) the aim being to enrich the fuel supply structure and help reduce the share of diesel, in addition to the beneficial effects on health and the environment. This would result in savings.
For industry:
The aim of the program is to encourage manufacturers to be more sober in their energy consumption. Indeed, industry represents a major challenge in terms of energy management, as its energy consumption is set to increase with the revival of this sector.
Algeria intends to capitalize on its enormous solar energy potential by launching several projects of varying sizes and types.
If there’s one energy that exists in great abundance in Algeria, it’s solar power. Its use, even in a rudimentary form such as food drying, is an ancestral tradition. With around 3,500 hours of sunshine per year, Algeria has one of the highest solar radiation levels in the world. Annual solar irradiation can exceed 2,500 kWh/m2. Solar energy received per day is rarely less than 4 kWh/m2 but can easily reach 7 kWh/m2. The Adrar region is particularly sunny and offers the greatest potential in the whole country.
In the Sahara Desert, 24,000 solar modules have been installed in the 60 MW in Laghouat solar power station, covering 1/7 of the region’s energy consumption. The project, completed in 2016, serves as a prototype for this transition, which aims to minimize fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
And to this end, the Algerian government is gradually embarking on the process of energy transition, beginning a veritable revolution towards energy independence with the construction of the very first village to be powered entirely by solar energy.
The location for Algeria’s first fully solar-powered village has been carefully selected in the state of Illizi, 1,758 kilometers southeast of the capital.
This decision was based on an analysis of data and criteria, considering the desert nature of the region. For example, the village is far from traditional electricity and gas networks. In addition, the prohibitive cost of connection, and the limited number of households in the area, guided this strategic choice.
Solar energy is at the heart of this transition, with a target of 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2035.
Mastering new technology processes is also necessary to develop renewable energies and increase production. Also, to accelerate the country’s energy transition, which is starting to gather momentum.
According to AA’s E-magazine article, more than 86 foreign companies are taking part in Algeria’s international call for tenders for the Solar 1000 MW Solar power Project in the South of the country.
Today, Algeria needs to put forward an approach based on the current market and technological context, using photovoltaic solar energy not only as a means of reducing waste and preserving the country’s energy resources, but also as a source of economic growth and job creation.
This is an important change, as the solar production system was out of step with the consumption system. For example, national production capacity stands at almost 200 mW, while the volume of the Algerian market rarely exceeds 5 megawatts (mW). For the first time in Algeria, this new approach focuses on energy efficiency to drastically reduce waste and preserve the country’s energy resources.
Written by Hadjer Terchi – freelance blogger | supply chain specialist