Speaking concerning the national strategy for renewable energies, Sonelgaz’s CEO, Noureddine Bouterfa said “it is technically a utopia”. Truly, Algeria plans to establish 22GW or 22,000MW of renewable energies by 2035.

Bouterfa made the announcement at the opening of the 5th symposium of gas industry association, a few minutes after Minister of Power, Salah Khebri, mentioned this goal.

 Sonelgaz’s director added that even by using all of Algeria’s resources, the country could produce 7GW of solar power and 8GW of photovoltaic. He also said Algeria could only cover 10% of needs in power with green energies in the next 20 years.

During his speech, the official said his company would take charge of this “resized” programme only if the whole Algerian renewable chain was integrated and if all financial conditions were in place; which will not be the case. He said the financing system, as it is now, would not allow for that. “Sonatrach and Sonelgaz must get out of the low prices cycle. Over the next 10 years, the country will need 1,240 billion dinars of investment,” he added.

Sonelgaz’s exit shows, in the best-case scenario, a bad coordination within Akegria’s power sector. However, interrogation regarding motivations and implications for the firm’s CEO still remain.

Gwladys Johnson