Ghardaia, Algeria – The wilaya of Ghardaia has entered a new phase in its commitment to clean energy with the commencement of construction on an 82-megawatt solar power plant. The project was officially launched by the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, during a field visit to the region yesterday.
The solar plant is located in the Kedia Echouf area, within the municipality of El Guerrara, approximately 100 kilometers northeast of the wilaya’s capital. It will cover a total area of 200 hectares.
During the launch ceremony, Minister Adjal emphasized that the facility will significantly bolster the region’s photovoltaic energy system. He also highlighted the project’s potential to create employment opportunities for local youth during both the construction and operational phases.
Adjal further underscored Ghardaia’s growing importance on the national energy map, noting that the wilaya currently achieves an energy surplus exceeding 1200 megawatts. He also mentioned the successful connection of nearly 1600 agricultural investments to the electrical grid, a move that has supported agricultural activity and contributed to production stability.
Speaking about the sector’s future prospects, the Minister explained that Algeria is solidifying its position as a prominent energy hub in Africa. He referred to the ongoing implementation of a major strategic project aimed at connecting the north and south of the country via an electricity grid spanning over 1600 kilometers, which is being constructed in several phases.
During the same visit, the Minister inspected the construction project of a high-voltage (60/30 kV) electricity conversion center in the Oued N’chou area. He instructed officials to accelerate the pace of work while adhering strictly to established technical standards, emphasizing the need to complete the project before the end of next year to ensure grid stability.
This electricity conversion center project is of particular importance due to its role in strengthening the local grid and ensuring a consistent electricity supply to the region.
