LNG News Editor:
Sonelgaz, the national electricity and natural gas company of Algeria, has been put in charge by Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab of helping to manage “a gradual and responsible” energy transition backed by gas while noting Sonelgaz has run renewable integrated energy projects since the 1980s.
During a speech at Algeria’s 27th Energy Day held on March 4 with an event at the National Polytechnic School of Algiers, the Minister outlined the North African nation’s approach to complement its domestic energy needs while exporting more LNG and pipeline gas to Europe.
Responsible
“Algeria's energy policy aims to move forward resolutely towards the realization of a progressive and responsible energy transition,” said Arkab.
“This requires the adoption of a diversified energy mix taking into consideration all the energies available, the least expensive and the cleanest while benefiting from the achievements of improving energy capacity and working to control energy consumption and to preserve natural resources for
future generations,” explained Arkab.
In this regard, Arkab recalled that Algeria has worked since the 1980s, through Sonelgaz, to integrate renewable energies, by supplying 20 villages with solar energy in the South of the country with the creation of solar power stations with a total power of 344 megawatts (MW) and the launch of hybrid projects with capacity of 50 MW.
As part of the development of the use of electric vehicles in Algeria, the Minister said that Sonelgaz would carry out experimental projects with a view to setting up 1,000 charging stations for electric vehicles.
Arkab added that natural gas flaring in Algeria was targeted to reach zero and that was the responsibility of oil and gas company Sonatrach.
The Minister also explained that similarly, Sonatrach was working with the Algerian Space Agency and in collaboration with the World Bank to carry out scientific and technological research with a view to measuring and definitively limiting methane gas emissions.
