• New unit targets overseas electricity projects and technical services
• Projects underway in Niger and Mozambique support expansion strategy

Algeria's state energy utility Sonelgaz is expanding into international markets by creating a dedicated subsidiary, Sonelgaz Internationale, to manage its operations abroad. The Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies said this week the move aims to give the group access to foreign markets in electricity production and distribution, its core business, and support the country’s economic expansion overseas.

Authorities say the initiative will help strengthen Algeria’s economic footprint abroad. The subsidiary will develop energy projects overseas, covering engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

Through Sonelgaz Internationale, Algeria also plans to offer training and skills transfer in the electricity and gas sectors, drawing on the group’s experience managing national networks. African and Mediterranean markets are the main targets.

The strategy is already taking shape. Sonelgaz is building a power plant in Niger under a bilateral cooperation agreement. In early March, a technical team traveled to Niamey to prepare the project, which involves installing two gas turbines with a capacity of 20 megawatts each.

In February, a Sonelgaz-led delegation of Algerian experts visited Mozambique for technical meetings and site visits focused on power generation and electrical engineering.

Abdel-Latif Boureima