Algeria has broken ground on a 80 MW solar plant in Northern Ouled Djellal city and another 220 MW solar plant in Biskra, according to statements here and here. The projects are part of Algeria’s 3 GW solar power program which aims to install 20 solar plants across 17 provinces. Algerian state-owned energy company Sonelgaz announced it awarded the development contracts to a mix of local companies and foreign companies last month.

About the Biskra project: The 220 MW solar plant spans 400 hectares and will be divided into 23 PV subfields with over 334k panels. Construction is expected to take 16 months.

About the Ouled Djellal project: The plant will have an 80 MW capacity following its completion in 10 months and will cover 160 hectares of land. It also includes 8 PV subfields and nearly 138k photovoltaic solar panels with supporting structures. The Chinese consortium consisting of China Electricity and Water Company, Chinese Nuclear Industries Corporation, and the Yellow River Company for Consulting Engineering is developing the project.

Coming in hot: Sonelgaz broke ground on a 200 MW solar power plant back in March and also began construction on a 150 MW solar power farm in Touggourt in partnership with utility giant Cosider Canalisations earlier this month. The solar facility — which is expected to be completed in 14 months — will be divided into 27 subfarms.

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