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Algerian boosts solar energy production

With its tremendous natural potential, Algeria seeks to play a leading role in the production of renewable energy resources in the region.

Algeria hopes to implement a comprehensive sustainable strategy that would turn it into a major green electricity producer.

The country cemented its ambitions last week by hosting international energy management fair SIEREME. The five-day event, which wrapped up October 14th, attracted some 40 Algerian and foreign companies and addressed the concerns related to the mastery of diversified energies.

According to Algeria's ten-year plan, renewable sources will generate 6-8% of electricity production by 2020 and as much as 35% by 2040.

The head of Algeria's national energy conservation agency (APRUE), Mohamed Salah Bouzeriba, told Magharebia that the government will establish the National Energy Control Programme (PNME) as part of its 2010-2014 development plan.

The programme aims to significantly reduce electricity consumption by distributing five million economical light bulbs, facilitating subsidised loans, increasing heat efficiency and introducing energy control measures. It will also launch an awareness campaign and a special programme targeting the biggest power consumers.

Chief among the projects is the first-of-its-kind hybrid solar power plant at Hassi R'mel, scheduled to be completed in January 2011.

"This ambitious energy project - the first of its kind nationally - will help us study the technologies used so that we can evaluate the financial implications of the possible future use of this kind of technology at other planned power stations," said Energy and Mining Minister Youcef Yousfi.

APRUE has set up a series of projects for the 2007-2011 period, including the construction of 600 "high energy performance" (HPE) homes, known as "Eco-Bât", as well as 10,000 solar water heating systems and 22,000 square metres of solar panels to be installed at healthcare centres, hotels and Turkish baths.

Meanwhile, Sonelgaz plans to invest in the production of solar power, embarking on an ambitious photovoltaic electricity generation programme as an alternative to fossil fuel production.

Algeria has been involved in the Desertec Industrial Initiative, a massive project to deliver electricity to Europe from solar farms in North Africa.

Furthermore, Sonelgaz envisages plans to bring electricity supplies to isolated villages in the south and will create a new plant in the city of Rouiba where it will manufacture photovoltaic cells. In June 2011, the prototype of the first photovoltaic panel to be "made in Algeria" will leave the laboratories of the Silicon Technology Development Unit (UDTS).

UDTS Director Messaoud Boumaour talked to Magharebia about his conviction that using photovoltaic technology is "the energy of the future", especially as Algeria has one of the biggest solar resources in the world (between 1,500 and 2,000 hours of sunshine per year).

By Mouna Sadek

© Magharebia.com 2010