Youçef Yousfi: “Algeria’s incomes of hydrocarbons reach $55.7b in 2010”

Algeria closed 2010 with hydrocarbon revenues reaching USD55.7 billion, said Monday Energy and Mines Minister Youcef Yousfi.

Hydrocarbon revenues (oil and gas) in Algeria “increased by 25 percent compared with 2009,” the minister told a National Radio broadcast.

“The charges against officials of Sonatrach and the scandal that rocked the National Company of Hydrocarbons are dangerous and unacceptable. Our ministerial department will intervene in the granting of projects as well as tenders and the books of conditions to overcome abuses at the expense of public interests. The majority of Sonatrach workers are trustees who receive monthly wages. Employment will be open to all Algerians who are scientifically and professionally competent”, the Minister added.

The spokesman denied the existence of any backgrounds in the selection of Desertec German project in order to reflect the partnership program.

“The ministry welcomes any partner who accepts Algeria in its special program for the exploitation of renewable energies and share of production risks and distribution of electrical energy. In the framework of a better conduct of renewable energies, the ministry aims to reach, in the coming years, 40% of production of electrical energy through solar and wind powers. The program to be presented today to the Council of Government will extend over the twenty years.

Youcefi said the ministry’s program will be implemented in three phases, if the government will approve it. the first stages will take about three years to experience all modern technologies available in this area, with preparing of the ground for industry to produce necessary materials in Algeria, as well as recruit elite in order to control the technology and develop it. Projects will reach 60 by 2020. Same program will produce between 2500 to 3000 MW from solar and wind energies.

The minister said that Algeria could reach 10.000 MW annually of renewable energy to be exported to Europe by 2030 if we find a suitable partner who could accompany the production, transport and expand marketing towards European markets, noting that recent statistics indicate only 4% of Algeria’s production is enough to cover Europe need of electricity”.