International Tender to Build Solar Power Plants in Algerian Sahara

The National Electricity and Gas Company “Sonelgaz”, through its renewable energy branch, launched a national and international tender for the construction of three new solar photovoltaic power plants with a production capacity of 520 megawatts in the wilayas of Touggourt and Bechar (southern Algeria).

In addition, another national and international bidding was launched to build a new combined-cycle power plant with a production capacity of 1200 megawatts in the Wilaya of Adrar (southern Algeria).

Announcement of tender No. 112/S-Eng/2024, checked out by Echorouk, stated that the Algerian Electricity and Gas Company – Renewable Energy “Sonelgaz EnR” is launching an open national and international tender for the study, engineering, civil works, supply, transportation, installation, assembly, training, testing and trial operation of three (03) photovoltaic solar power stations, including their connection to the electricity transmission network.

According to the announcement, the first photovoltaic solar station has a production capacity of 120 megawatts in the Kenadsa region in the Wilaya of Bechar. The second station has a production capacity of 150 megawatts in the wilaya of Touggourt.

The third station will be constructed in the wilayat of Touggourt, specifically in the Temacine region, with a production capacity that is the largest of the three stations, 250 megawatts.

The announcement explained that this tender is intended for companies operating in the energy sector that can demonstrate their ability to implement all the services covered by the bidding round and proven and documented references in the implementation of engineering, procurement and construction works.

For foreign companies participating alone or as part of a group of foreign companies, the tender stipulated that they must have completed solar photovoltaic power station projects with a total capacity of 40 megawatts or more.

As for foreign companies participating in a “consortium” with Algerian companies, they must have implemented solar photovoltaic power plant projects with a total capacity of 25 megawatts.

For Algerian companies participating individually or as part of a group of Algerian companies, they must have implemented major industrial and energy projects or projects for the benefit of the Sonelgaz group.

The announcement set February 6, 2025, as the deadline for submitting bids at 10:00 am at the company’s building in Algiers Bab Ezzouar business district, the day on which the envelopes will be opened in a public session.

In a second tender announcement, Sonelgaz launched a round of bids for the construction of a power plant in Adrar with a production capacity of 1,200 megawatts, operating according to the combined cycle (Cycle Combiné), i.e. electricity production from gas turbines.

The deadline for submitting bids is January 28, 2025, and the envelopes will be opened on the same day in a public session.