Algiers promises new solar dawn

Tender expected in June or July for 1GW of solar photovoltaic capacity as government decree mandates new ministry to undertake procurement exercise

Algeria’s decade of false starts in the renewables sector induces scepticism towards fresh government pronouncements of lofty ambitions. In 2011, Algiers declared a goal of producing 22GW of electricity from renewable sources by 2030—but by end-2020 it had installed a mere 686MW, according to the latest survey by the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency. Neighbouring Morocco, blessed with similarly conducive climactic conditions, boasts 3.4GW. However, the disavowal by Chems Eddine Chitour—appointed last June as head of the newly created Energy Transition and Renewable Energies Ministry—of the practice of setting extravagant long-term targets in favour of immediate concrete