Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines,
Madam Secretary of State to the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines in charge of Mines,
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sonelgaz Group,
Secretary General of the National Federation of Workers of Sonelgaz Group Companies,
Senior executives of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines,
Senior executives of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies,
Executive managers of the Sonelgaz Group,
Members of the media,
Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
At the outset of this meeting, I am pleased to extend to you my sincere thanks and appreciation for responding to the invitation. I would like to especially welcome His Excellency the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, and Madam Secretary of State in charge of Mines, whose presence among us reflects a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to serving the Algerian State.
The proceedings of the First National Conference of Officials of the Energy and Renewable Energies Sector fall within the framework of the sector’s ongoing momentum. They aim to review the achievements realized during the past period and to assess our overall performance with the transparency and objectivity required at this stage. This meeting also represents an important opportunity to shape a future vision by defining a clear roadmap that sets the priorities of the coming phase, in line with the strategic orientations of the Algerian State and its aspirations for sustainable energy security and comprehensive economic development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Algerian government is undertaking numerous measures aimed primarily at protecting the national economy and revitalizing national and local development. In implementing this program, the Energy and Renewable Energies sector has drawn up a roadmap that places at its core the priority set by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, namely improving the quality of public service for Algerian citizens and meeting their basic energy needs, in order to ensure a high-quality living environment for all Algerians, through:
- Ensuring access to electricity and gas for all citizens.
- Meeting the energy needs of all sectors, particularly industry and agriculture.
As part of the State’s social policy, the special programs initiated by the President of the Republic to connect citizens to electricity and gas—implemented by the services of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies through the Sonelgaz Group—have enabled the connection of more than 2.4 million homes to gas and more than 456,000 homes to electricity. The expansion of gas transmission and distribution networks has also made it possible to reach 8.2 million customers. These figures are expected to rise further with the commissioning of several major energy projects.
Electricity coverage has reached 99%, with more than 12.5 million subscribers.
Gas coverage has reached 72%, with more than 8.2 million subscribers.
Despite the significant increase in energy demand in recent years and the need to develop energy infrastructure to secure supplies, the efforts made by the Sonelgaz Group have ensured full coverage of demand during the current year, including the summer of 2025, during which peak demand reached 20,628 megawatts—an increase of 1,085 megawatts compared to the previous year.
Regarding the connection of agricultural holdings, the ministry’s services have successfully completed the connection of more than 100,432 farms. This program has received special attention from Sonelgaz in implementation of the instructions of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, as part of the national food security program.
In addition, the sector has completed the installation of 1,000 electric vehicle charging points across the national territory, particularly along the East - West Highway. These will be brought into service once the regulatory and legal frameworks currently under review are finalized. In parallel, and in line with the directives of the President of the Republic, the sector has launched a free program to install carbon monoxide gas detectors in citizens’ homes. To date, 17 million devices have been installed, with the operation progressing steadily across all provinces.
As part of its contribution to improving citizens’ living conditions, the sector also ensured the connection of five seawater desalination plants to electricity ahead of schedule, enabling citizens to benefit from drinking water. Studies and works are also being launched to connect three additional desalination plants to the power grid.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Algerian State attaches great importance to the energy and renewable energies sector, considering it a strategic sector and a key pillar of national development. This importance is reflected in the new sectoral structure, which will enable the ministry to focus its efforts on accelerating the achievement of national objectives related to diversifying energy resources and establishing a balanced energy mix that harnesses all available sources.
Within this framework, two highly important draft executive decrees are being prepared, concerning the organization of the central administration of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies and the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines. These reforms aim to clarify responsibilities, improve governance, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and take into account all tasks related to defining and implementing policies and strategies for the valorization of energy resources, the development of renewable energies, energy efficiency, hydrogen, electric mobility, and the associated industries.
In parallel, a regulatory circular is being prepared to govern working relations between provincial directorates of energy and mines and ministerial bodies. This will ensure a smooth transition by focusing on a comprehensive program for digitalization and modernization of the sector, facilitating information exchange, improving coordination, and enhancing performance efficiency - ultimately improving public service delivery nationwide.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The establishment of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies embodies the will of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to grant this sector the importance it deserves, in order to accelerate the implementation of the energy transition program. In this context, the sector continues its efforts to diversify energy sources and provide comprehensive and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, preserve the country’s natural resources, and achieve the objectives of the energy transition—positioning Algeria as a key player in future energy markets.
The energy sector has launched a renewable energy development program targeting the production of 15,000 megawatts by 2035. The first phase, with a capacity of 3,200 megawatts, is currently underway across 14 provinces. In addition, preparations are ongoing to launch a program to supply isolated and remote areas—particularly in the southern regions—with electricity through individual solar systems and off-grid photovoltaic power plants.
Given Algeria’s significant potential and capabilities, the sector is also working on the gradual development of green hydrogen for multiple uses. A national strategy for this field has been finalized, and Algeria has entered the second phase of implementing the national hydrogen roadmap, focusing on pilot projects through the Sonelgaz and Sonatrach groups. Technical and economic feasibility studies have been launched to define capacities and specifications for efficient and viable projects.
In the field of nuclear energy, particularly medical applications, the sector will direct the Nuclear Research Center toward the production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals necessary for diagnosis and treatment. This measure will reduce imports, improve patient care, and shorten treatment times, while also strengthening radiation protection equipment and radioactive waste management.
In line with international expansion ambitions, the sector is working to strengthen the electricity interconnection project between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. This will promote renewable energies, open new prospects for exporting clean electricity, and reinforce Algeria’s position as a key energy supplier to Europe. In Africa, through Sonelgaz and its subsidiaries, the sector is ready to enhance cooperation in electricity exchange, share expertise in studies, engineering, and project development, supply equipment, and provide high-quality services through productive partnerships with many countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I reaffirm the crucial importance of this meeting in embodying the spirit of dialogue and strengthening coordination among the sector’s various structures and institutions. Today’s gathering is a key opportunity to reinforce partnerships among all stakeholders and to renew our collective commitment to serving the major national objectives we are striving to achieve.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all workers and stakeholders in the sector for their efforts in implementing the State’s programs, which aim to realize Algeria’s ambitious development strategy—laying the foundations for an energy-secure and economically strong Algeria.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies
Dr. Mourad Adjal