Algeria to launch renewable electricity

Algeria will launch a program of renewable energy development over the next 20 years, expected to increase its production of electricity from alternative sources such as solar or wind, Algerian Ennahar

“In a few weeks we will present to the government a plan to develop new and renewable energy. It is an extremely ambitious program in solar, wind and geothermal,” Minister of Energy Youcef Yousfi was quoted as saying by news agency APS.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Sunday ordered the government to present to the Council of Ministers in 2011, a “genuine national development plan of new and renewable energy.”

Yousfi said the plan should enable the production within 20 years from renewable energies the same amount of electricity currently produced from natural gas.

The program also provides for the design and manufacture of equipment related to this industry, a mission entrusted to the public group electricity and gas Sonelgaz.

"It's a huge program, it's a huge challenge, the government will be there to support and assist the operators in its implementation," said the minister.

Algeria wants to prepare for after oil by developing renewable energy in solar and nuclear, particularly in cooperation with France, the United States, Germany, Russia, China and Brazil.

It includes the construction of a solar power plant in the Sahara (extreme south) with a capacity of 150 megawatts (MGW).