Africa's Second Largest Solar Plant Inaugurated in El Oued

Algeria has inaugurated the El Foulia solar power plant, situated in Guemar, El Oued wilaya, which has been operational since the summer. This facility, equipped with nearly 650,000 solar panels, boasts a cumulative capacity of 300 MWc, establishing it as the second-largest solar power plant in Africa by capacity. The expansive plant, built by the Chinese company CSCEC and operated by Sonelgaz, covers an area of 600 hectares, underscoring Algeria's significant strides in renewable energy infrastructure.

This inauguration is part of a broader national effort to expand Algeria's photovoltaic park. Two other substantial solar power plants, Tendla in El-Meghaier and El-Ghrous in Biskra, each with a 200 MW capacity, were also commissioned this year. Looking ahead, two additional plants, generating 200 MW and 100 MW respectively, are scheduled for service near the El Foulia installation by the first quarter of 2027. These projects align with Algeria's ambitious objective to reach 15,000 MW of installed solar capacity by 2035, supported by a program of 21 solar plants totaling 3,200 MW.

While solar energy accounted for less than one percent of Algeria's electricity production in 2024, with the national grid primarily relying on gas, the country is actively diversifying its energy mix. The current installed photovoltaic capacity, which stood at 437 MW at the end of 2025 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, is set for substantial growth. The ongoing development of large-scale solar facilities like El Foulia demonstrates Algeria's commitment to harnessing its abundant solar resources and transitioning towards a more sustainable energy future.