Hassi Rmel Hybrid Gas-Solar Power Plant Operational

The first hybrid natural gas and solar power plant in Algeria has been inaugurated on Thursday in Hassi Rmel by Minister of Energy and Mines, Youcef Yousfi, in the presence of Spanish Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastian.

The Hassi Rmel hybrid plant is due to generate 150 megawatts, of which 120 megawatts to be generated via natural gas and the rest 30 megawatts are to be generated through solar energy. The overall generated power will be integrated in the national power network.

In fact, the inauguration of such a plant marks the beginning of the implementation of Algeria national renewable energy programme announced by the government last February, and which aims at increasing the local power generation by 40 percent, as by 2030. 

The plant is set to be the largest in the African continent, as it stands on 64 hectares, with 224 solar energy generators; the length of each is 150 meters. 

This first hybrid power plant is due to be run jointly by Algerian and Spanish engineers for five years, before being fully managed by Algeria staff.