ORAN – Monday, 13 November 2023 (APS) – The Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Abdelkrim Aouissi said Monday in Oran that Algeria was working to adapt to global changes in the energy field and to achieve a gradual energy transition, by adopting a mix that considers all available energy.
Chairing the opening ceremony of the 11th North Africa Energy & Hydrogen Exhibition & Conference “NAPEC 2023, representing the Minister, Aouissi emphasized that the global economy is undergoing major changes, which are having a major impact on it, and that energy remains one of the components of these changes due to the role played by economic and social activities.
The new structural changes on the global energy scene have had a “significant” impact on energy markets, since, in his point of view, intra-industry investment in the oil and gas industry has declined, affecting the security of global energy demand and the achievement of balance.
In light of these changes, Algeria is seeking to adapt to the international context and at the same time meet the growing domestic demand for energy while contributing to the country’s social and economic development.
These steps are based on achieving a gradual energy transition, adopting an energy mix that takes into account all available energy, the most reliable and cleanest, and benefiting from the gains resulting from improved energy efficiency while working to control the consumption of energy materials to preserve natural resources for future generations, he explained.
In addition, Algeria is pursuing its efforts in research and exploration to expand the sphere of its reserves, increase its production capacities and improve the recovery rate of its oil and gas reserves, as well as its ambition to enhance and develop the petrochemical industries, strengthen transport capacities and consolidate its place as a resource that enjoys credibility and reliability on the international market, stated the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
In this regard, Algeria has also planned major investments in the hydrocarbons sector, through Sonatrach, exceeding US$42 billion over the 2023-2027 period, including more than US$14 billion allocated to gas projects, in order to maintain and increase its production capacities for this resource.
According to the same official, Algeria, in addition to its fossil resources, has enormous solar energy capacities, enhanced with a renewable energy development program that aims to reach a total capacity of 15,000 megawatts by 2035, of which 2,000 megawatts will soon be produced by Sonelgaz.
Through this program, Algeria is striving to achieve a 30% share of renewable energy in the renewable energy mix. The sector is working to limit the rising demand for energy and rationalize its consumption by adopting an efficient energy model, enabling optimal use of different economic and social activities in collaboration with the sectors concerned.
The development of hydrogen is also one of the Government’s primary goals, as it aims to make it a strategic sector in line with its commitments and program for a successful energy transition.
According to Aouissi, Algeria has significant assets that qualify it to become a major regional leader in this field, banking on its capacities in the field of solar energy and its vast electricity and gas network, reinforced by seawater desalination units.