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A boost.
Algerian imports of solar panels have recorded a notable increase, giving a boost to the energy transition. This approach is part of the realization of the 3,000 MW national project in renewable energies.
Algerian imports of solar panels intended for the realization of this project reached a production capacity of 0.85 GW (850 MW) during the first half of 2024, according to a report published by the specialized platform al-Taqa. Algeria ranked 4ᵉ Arab row among the largest importers of this type of equipment, behind Saudi Arabia which imported it for a production of 4.45 GW), the United Arab Emirates (3.18 GW) and Iraq (0.95 GW).
According to the same source, the month of January 2025 was distinguished with the record import of solar panels which could reach a production of 390 MW, followed by the month of April with 160 MW and May with 140 MW. On the other hand, the volumes were more modest in June allowing only 90 MW of production, in March (60 MW) and in April with only 10 MW.
Thus, since the launch of the 3,000 MW project last March, the country has reached important stages in the strengthening and diversification of its energy security, with a total of imports around 1.65 GW, according to the same source.
In 2024, the Algerian import market for solar panels had already experienced a clear progression compared to previous years, reaching 0.8 GW. The published data indicated that Algerian imports of Chinese solar panels jumped at 0.34 GW in the last quarter of 2024, in addition to the launch of four new projects since March of the same year. In addition, the month of December of the same year recorded the highest import volume, 0.2 GW, followed by November (0.1 GW), October (0.04 GW) and finally August and February (0.1 GW each).
The Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies aims for a production of 3000 MW, through the creation of 20 solar power plants. This major project was divided into two tenders, the first concerns the realization of 15 power plants with a total capacity of 2000 megawatts-hours, while the second relates to the realization of 5 power stations of a global capacity estimated at 1000 megawatts-hours.
It should be noted that in March 2024, Algeria launched the project of its first solar power plant with a capacity of 200 MW. A month later, the work of the second power plant with a capacity of 150 megawatts began, in addition to the third of 220 megawatts, and the fourth of 80 megawatts.
It is also necessary to recall that Algeria has the most important solar field in the world because of its territory made up of 86% of Saharan desert and its geographic positioning. The average annual sunshine in Algeria is estimated at 3,000 hours, with an average sunshine of 6.57 kWh/m²/day, according to a study established in 2021 by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, indicating that the Algerian solar potential is equivalent to a volume of 37,000 billion cubic meters per year, more than 8 times the country’s natural gas reserves.