Construction Of 10MW Solar Array in Algeria

The Italian company Eni and the Algerian company Sonatrach have started construction of a 10 MW solar project in Algeria. The two oil giants also inaugurated a solar laboratory to test the efficiency of different photovoltaic technologies under local irradiation conditions.

The 10 MW solar power plant at BirRebaa Nord, Algeria. Photo: Eni

Eni and Sonatrach, Algeria's national gas and oil supplier, said they will build a new 10 MW solar project at the BirRebaa North (BRN) oil production complex in the Berkine basin in south-eastern Algeria. Together with the existing 10 MW facility that opened at the BRN complex in 2018, the additional installation will double the renewable energy capacity available to power upstream processes in the oil fields.

In a statement, Eni said, "This will be followed by the construction of another PV facility in the production complex of the Menzel-Ledjmet East project (MLE), also located in the Berkine basin, which is expected to start construction in 2023."

The Italian-Algerian business alliance also inaugurated its solar laboratory. This new facility will collect and analyse data to test the efficiency of different photovoltaic technologies in the high irradiation conditions of southern Algeria.

They revealed, "The solar laboratory will be open to universities and other public institutions for research purposes."

The collaboration between Eni and Sonatrach in the field of solar energy began in 2017.Sonatrach and Sonelgaz also co-own Société Algérienne des Énergies Renouvelables Spa (SHAEMS) - -The company will be allowed to take a maximum 25% stake in the special purpose entity that will be the winning bidder for the recently launched 1 GW solar tender in Algeria.