Energy in Algeria
Total energy supply 2021[1]
Energy in Algeria encompasses the production, consumption, and import of energy. As of 2009, the primary energy use in Algeria was 462 TWh, with a per capita consumption of 13 TWh.[2] Algeria is a significant producer and exporter of oil and gas and has been a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since 1969.[3] It also participates in the OPEC+ agreement, collaborating with non-OPEC oil-producing nations. Historically, the country has relied heavily on fossil fuels, which are heavily subsidized and constitute the majority of its energy consumption. In response to global energy trends, Algeria updated its Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development Plan in 2015, aiming for significant advancements by 2030. This plan promotes the deployment of large-scale renewable technologies, such as solar photovoltaic systems and onshore wind installations, supported by various incentive measures. In a strategic move to further develop its energy sector, in 2023, the Algerian government announced plans to offer at least 10 exploration blocks in its first upstream bidding round since 2014, signaling a proactive approach to expanding its oil and gas exploration efforts.[4] [3]
Overview[edit]
| Energy in Algeria[5] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capita | Prim. energy | Production | Export | Electricity | CO2-emission | |
| Million | TWh | TWh | TWh | TWh | Mt | |
| 2004 | 32.4 | 383 | 1,927 | 1,539 | 26.3 | 77.8 |
| 2007 | 33.9 | 429 | 1,911 | 1,482 | 30.6 | 85.7 |
| 2008 | 34.4 | 431 | 1,885 | 1,439 | 32.9 | 88.1 |
| 2009 | 23.5 | 462 | 1,771 | 1,299 | 44.6 | 92.5 |
| 2010 | 35.47 | 470 | 1,751 | 1,268 | 36.4 | 98.6 |
| 2012 | 35.98 | 487 | 1,696 | 1,201 | 41.2 | 103,9 |
| 2012R | 38.48 | 539 | 1,672 | 1,131 | 46.3 | 114.4 |
| 2013 | 39.21 | 553 | 1,601 | 1,037 | 48.8 | 113.9 |
| Change 2004-10 | 9.6% | 22.7% | -9.2% | -17.6% | 38.5% | 26.6% |
| Mtoe = 11.63 TWh
2012R = CO2 calculation criteria changed, numbers updated | ||||||
Natural gas[edit]
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In 2023, Algeria had 159 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven natural gas reserves. Between 2012 and 2021, annual dry natural gas production averaged 3.2 Tcf, while consumption averaged 1.5 Tcf. Despite a production drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on economic activities, production rebounded to a record 3.6 Tcf in 2021. According to the Middle East Economic Survey, this increase was driven by upstream investments leading to new project startups and expansions, notably at the Hassi R’Mel field. Additionally, a decreased need for gas reinjection at oil fields allowed more natural gas to be available for domestic use and export.[6]
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| 79.6 | 78.4 | 79.3 | 80.2 | 81.4 | 91.4 | 93.0 | 93.8 | 87.0 | 81.5 | 100.8 |
Historically, Algeria has been a significant player in the global natural gas market. In 2009, it was the fifth-largest exporter of natural gas, with a net export of 55 billion cubic meters (bcm), trailing behind Russia (169 bcm), Norway (100 bcm), Canada (76 bcm), and Qatar (67 bcm). That year, Algeria was also ranked as the seventh-largest natural gas producer globally, producing 81 bcm, with the top producers being the USA (594 bcm), Russia (589 bcm), and Canada (159 bcm).[8]
By 2021, Algeria's role in the natural gas sector had continued to grow. Its domestic production of natural gas reached 3,734,001 terajoules (TJ), a 28% increase from previous years. This escalation in production positioned Algeria as the second-largest supplier of natural gas in Africa, with a total supply of 1,775,215 TJ, following Egypt. This robust production not only meets domestic energy needs but also bolsters economic stability through exports and the provision of raw materials for key industries such as chemicals and plastics.[9]
Gas Pipelines[edit]
Algeria is a key player in the natural gas export market, primarily serving Europe through three strategic pipelines: the Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline (TransMed), the Medgaz, and the Maghreb-Europe (MEG) pipeline. The increased capacity of the Medgaz pipeline at the end of 2021 significantly improved its delivery capabilities to Spain. Despite encountering temporary disruptions in 2021 due to political tensions that affected the MEG pipeline, normal operations resumed in 2022 with an unconventional reversal, enabling Spain to export gas to Morocco. Furthermore, Algeria is actively considering future pipeline projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, aimed at connecting Nigeria to European markets through Algeria, and the GALSI pipeline, which could potentially be utilized for transporting green hydrogen to Italy.[10]
- The Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline (TransMed) is a natural gas pipeline from Algeria via Tunisia to Sicily and Italy constructed in 1978-1983 and 1991-1994.
- The Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline is 1,620 kilometres long natural gas pipeline from Algeria via Morocco to Spain.
- The Medgaz Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline from Algeria to Spain.
Nuclear Energy[edit]
Since 1995 Algeria operates research reactors at Draria and Aïn Oussera. It signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Russia in January 2007, with the United States in June 2007, and with China in March 2008.[11][12] Algeria has discussed nuclear cooperation also with France.
Oil[edit]
Algeria is a member of OPEC. In 2008 Algeria was the top 7th oil products exporter. Less than 11% of worlds oil products were exported. Total world crude oil export was 1 952 Mt and oil products export 411 Mt in 2008.[8]
Oil fields include Hassi Messaoud oil field, Ourhoud Oil Field and Rhourde El Baguel oil field. As of 2022, Algeria produces roughly a million barrels of crude per day.
Solar power[edit]
Algeria has the highest technical and economical potential for solar power exploitation in the MENA region, with a potential of around 170 TWh per year.[13] The first industrial scale solar thermal power project has been initiated by inauguration of Hassi R'Mel power station in 2011. This new hybrid power plant combines a 25-megawatt (MW) concentrating solar power array in conjunction with a 130 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant.
In addition, Algeria has launched in 2011 a national program to develop renewable energy based on photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and wind power, and to promote energy efficiency. The program consists of installing up to 12 GW of power generating capacity from renewable sources to meet the domestic electricity demand by 2030.[14]
In 2023, Algeria launched a bid for the construction of 15 solar power plants across the country, each with a generation capacity of 80-220 MW, and a total capacity of 2,000 MW for the entirety of the project, with construction set to begin in 2024.[15][16]
| PV Power station | Capacity in MW p |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High Plateaus East, Adrar | 90 | completed 2016, Built by Sinohydro Corp (PowerChina), Yingli Green Energy Holding, HydroChina, owned by SKTM (Sonelgaz) [17] |
| High Plateaus Centre, Adrar | 90 | completed 2016, Built by Sinohydro Corp (PowerChina), Yingli Green Energy Holding, HydroChina, owned by SKTM (Sonelgaz) [17] |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Algeria - Countries & Regions". IEA. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ IEA Key energy statistics 2011 Archived 2011-10-27 at the Wayback Machine Page: Country specific indicator numbers from page 48
- ^ a b "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Algeria - Countries & Regions". IEA. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ IEA Key World Energy Statistics Statistics 2015 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, 2014 (2012R as in November 2015 Archived 2015-04-05 at the Wayback Machine + 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, 2013 Archived 2014-09-02 at the Wayback Machine, 2012 Archived 2013-03-09 at the Wayback Machine, 2011 Archived 2011-10-27 at the Wayback Machine, 2010 Archived 2010-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, 2009 Archived 2013-10-07 at the Wayback Machine, 2006 Archived 2009-10-12 at the Wayback Machine IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
- ^ "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "bp Statistical Review of World Energy" (PDF). www.bp.com (71st ed.). 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ a b "IEA Key energy statistics 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
- ^ "Algeria - Countries & Regions". IEA. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ "Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries". World Nuclear Association. April 2009. Archived from the original on 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
- ^ "Middle Eastern nations do nuclear diplomacy". World Nuclear News. 2008-03-25. Retrieved 2008-05-18.
- ^ Zhao, Liang; Wang, Wei; Zhu, Lingzhi; Liu, Yang; Dubios, Andreas (2018). "Economic analysis of solar energy development in North Africa". Global Energy Interconnection. 1 (1): 53–62. doi:10.14171/j.2096-5117.gei.2018.01.007. ISSN 2096-5117.
- ^ "Dii - Turning Desert Power into reality: Étude Algérie". Archived from the original on 2014-11-30. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
- ^ Nadim Kawach (2023-09-28). "Algeria opens 73 bids for 15 solar power projects". zawya.com. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
- ^ "Projet 2000 MW : la phase de construction débutera durant le 1er trimestre 2024" [2000 MW project: construction phase to begin in Q1 2024]. algerie-eco.com (in French). 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
- ^ a b c Making Solar Bankable