ALGIERS, Algeria – Mourad Adjal, Minister of Energy and Renewable Energy of Algeria, officially commissioned a 200-megawatt photovoltaic power station in Tendla, El-Meghaïer Province, on May 18, marking the tangible launch of Algeria’s long-awaited national renewable energy rollout plan.
As the first operational facility under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s landmark strategy to reach 15,000 MW of installed renewable energy capacity nationwide by 2035, the Tendla solar farm stands as a milestone in Algeria’s push to diversify its power mix and reinforce national energy security. For decades, Algeria’s electricity grid has relied almost entirely on fossil fuels, leaving the country vulnerable to domestic demand surges and global hydrocarbon market volatility; scaling up clean solar power is central to mitigating this structural risk.
Spanning approximately 400 hectares of sun-drenched desert terrain in El-Meghaïer, a region blessed with exceptional solar irradiation ideal for large-scale PV deployment, the plant boasts comprehensive, state-of-the-art infrastructure. The site hosts 20 independent photovoltaic fields, 364,000 solar panels, 20 power transformers, a dedicated 30 kV substation, plus integrated automated panel cleaning systems, real-time operational monitoring equipment, fire detection devices and full electrical safety protection mechanisms to guarantee stable, low-maintenance operation in harsh desert climates.
Local authorities highlighted El-Meghaïer’s unmatched natural solar resources as a core advantage for utility-scale renewable developments. The newly activated solar complex will deliver consistent clean power to Algeria’s national grid, laying a solid technical and operational foundation for the country’s broader energy transition agenda and drastically expanding its domestic supply of zero-carbon electricity.
While the 200 MW facility represents only a modest starting point toward the 15 GW 2035 national target, its successful grid connection and official launch carry profound symbolic and practical weight. For years, Algeria’s renewable energy blueprint remained confined to policy papers and planning phases; the Tendla solar farm signals a decisive shift from strategy drafting to full-scale execution of the national clean energy program.
Industry observers note Algeria’s massive untapped solar potential across its Saharan territories, which receive among the highest annual solar radiation levels globally. The successful delivery of the Tendla flagship project is expected to unlock more large-scale PV investments across southern provinces, positioning Algeria to gradually raise the share of renewables in its power generation portfolio over the next decade. Minister Adjal reiterated the government’s commitment to rolling out dozens of follow-up solar and wind projects in the coming years to narrow the gap toward the 15,000 MW capacity goal.
Moving forward, the Tendla plant will serve as a reference model for future renewable energy construction standards across Algeria, demonstrating the country’s capability to develop, build and operate world-class desert solar installations independently as it pursues a less fossil fuel-dependent energy future.
Gamko energy, Worldwide Energy and Manufacturer, is a professional solar module manufacturer with a 10-year experience in production and quality control since 2008.
