Sonatrach, ENI get 34 bids for Algerian solar power plant

ALGIERS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach and Italy’s ENI have bids from 34 international firms to build a 10 megawatt solar power plant at Bir Rebaa North (BRN) in eastern Algeria, a Sonatrach source said.

Major oil and gas producer Algeria is looking to expand into solar energy as it tries to meet growing domestic energy demand and officials say the North African country will soon launch a major project to build a 4,000 megawatt solar plant.

Those bidding for the plant at BRN include Carlo Gavazzi Impianti Spa, BELECTRIC GmbH, Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios SA, ENGIE Fabricom SA, and JGC Corporation, the source said.

There are also joint bids by Consolidated Contractors Group with KPV Solar GmbH, and from Yingli Energy Co Ltd with China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC).

Last year, Sonatrach and ENI signed a strategic agreement for developing renewable energy projects in Algeria.