The government of Algeria plans to set up 1,000 megawatts of solar capacity to be distributed in medium-sized plants. It plans to launch two 500 megawatts of solar power plants each.

This was made known by the country’s Minister of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies, Chems Eddie Chitour. The project is to be realised through the technical and financial support of the partners and partners are to be paid back with the savings made on national gas consumption.

The aim of this program is set up several small-scale power plants throughout the country. Major renewable energy countries like China, Germany and the United States will be relied upon to finance the infrastructures.

Upon completion of the project, the partners will be refunded from the money saved from low consumption of gas. The installation will allow the country to sell gas not consumed for an annual income of about $200 million.

According to the Minister, “And we will use these funds to finance, in part, our renewable energy plan.”

On the power plants, he said: “Right now, we have 150 MW which are in the pipeline, and for which tenders have either been launched or are in the process of being. Then, we will propose two programs of 500 MW each, which will allow us to choose our partners.”

Also, on if the country is planning the installation of 4,000 megawatts by 2024, the Minister insisted it is not forseen in the medium term. He said, “Frankly, I don’t know anything about 4,000 MW and I don’t like the announcement effects.”

In 2009, the OPEC-member country was top 5 exporter of natural gas in the world with 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) net export behind only Russia with 169 bcm, Norway with 100 bcm, Canada with 76 bcm and Qatar with 67 bcm.