Statement by Dr. Mourad Adjal, Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies

At the 6th High-Level Meeting of the Strategic Energy Dialogue between Algeria and the European Union

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Minister of State,

Commissioner for Energy and Housing,

Director General for Europe,

Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Algeria,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to welcome you today to Algiers, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies,together with Minister of State Mohamed Arkab, on the occasion of the sixth annual high level meeting of the Algeria–EuropeanUnion energy dialogue. I would like to warmly welcome you, Commissioner and Ambassador, as well as the delegation accompanying

you, and wish you an excellent stay among us.

Since its establishment in 2015 in Algiers, this dialogue has significantly contributed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector through better understanding of our respective energy policies and strategies, while providing a privileged framework for exchanges on energy market prospects.

It has enabled numerous joint activities, including two business forums, as well as constructive workshops and expert-level meetings in Algiers and Brussels. Current work builds notably on two projects co-financed by the European Union and Germany ;the Taqathy+ project and the green hydrogen reference facility project and its derivatives, both led by the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the co-chairs, the members of the sectoral working group, and the expert groups for their efforts and the quality of their contributions to the dialogue.

This meeting takes place in a complex global context marked by growing energy demand interdependence, climate urgency, access to financing, and the need to attract investment in low carbon energy. These challenges require intensified efforts to advance the 2030 global sustainable development agenda and achieve our targets. In this context, dialogue between energy-producing and energy-consuming countries is more essential than ever to strengthen global energy security, accessibility, and sustainability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Algeria is fully committed to a low carbon economy through a clear and proactive sustainable development policy aimed at diversifying our substantial natural resources by increasing reliance on renewable and new energies, particularly solar power, within our energy mix to meet our climate commitments.

This policy is reflected in the new organization of the energy sector, with a ministerial department under my leadership responsible primarily for developing policies and strategies for energy resource valorization, advancing new and renewable energies, energy efficiency, hydrogen, electric mobility, and related industrial development.

Although Algeria, as a growing country, still faces many challenges, significant progress has been achieved in energy access.Today, almost all citizens have access to electricity, with an electrification rate of 99% and a gas penetration rate of 75% across a vast territory, in a context of significant ; increasing energy demand driven by population growth, improved living standards, and a significant increase in housing.

Substantial investments have been made to develop electricity and gas production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure,while further projects are underway, notably the interconnection of northern and southern electricity transmission networks,with constant attention to optimizing costs and ensuring reliable, high-quality, and affordable energy supply.

Despite particularly challenging climatic conditions, especially during summer heatwaves, national energy demand has been met under very good conditions of quality and service continuity, while Algeria continues to export significant volumes of energy abroad, demonstrating the resilience and potential of our electricity networks.

Conventional electricity generation is complemented by renewable energy sources, whose potential is among the highest in the world, particularly solar energy.

As part of its energy transition policy aimed at diversifying the energy mix and rationalizing natural resource use, Algeria has launched a program to develop 15,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2035, based on strengthening domestic industrial capabilities with strong local integration and job creation. The first phase of 3,200 MW is currently underway and will add to existing production capacity. Among our priorities is paving the way for electricity exports to Europe through interconnections and energy transport infrastructure, where conditions are favorable.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Secure, sustainable, and competitive energy supply is a priority and a fundamental pillar for stability and shared prosperity across the Mediterranean region. Achieving this requires developing energy interconnections, particularly electricity links between both shores of the Mediterranean, and optimizing complementarity in energy exchanges between Algeria and European

Union countries.

Algeria also has strong potential in hydrogen production, opening new export opportunities through the development of a hydrogen value chain and its derivatives, positioning Algeria to become a renewable hydrogen hub in the Mediterranean basin and making this energy carrier a lever for economic growth.

Algeria attaches great importance to this cooperation, which can serve as a foundation for mutually beneficial collaboration between both shores of the Mediterranean. It deserves in-depth discussion within the dialogue framework to explore practical avenues of cooperation, identify constraints and challenges, and create conditions for the emergence of a North–South Mediterranean market, including transparent, fair, stable, and efficient regulatory frameworks and functional electricity and hydrogen markets.

We are intensifying efforts not only to meet growing domestic demand but also to position Algeria as a leader and reliable partner in regional and international energy markets.

Visibility on future hydrogen demand is essential for developing joint projects, which require close collaboration between governments, operators, and financial stakeholders. The South Corridor project is a flagship initiative illustrating our

determination to develop new energy routes, and discussions with partners continue to advance its realization.

We are also working on other renewable energy sources such as waste-to-energy and geothermal energy, with studies planned to assess their potential.

Algeria also has significant wind potential that could help reduce hydrogen production costs, and feasibility studies for wind farm projects have already begun.

Energy efficiency will play a crucial role in Algeria’s energy landscape, characterized by increasing consumption driven mainly by population growth, new housing and infrastructure development, and industrial expansion.

It should also be noted that Algeria today possesses significant human capital whose research and innovation capabilities, combined with mastery, transfer, and integration of new technologies in engineering, industry, and project management,can strongly support the energy sector.

All these factors will drive the substantial investments required in the energy sector and foster industrial projects based on win-win partnerships.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dialogue among all stakeholders is more important than ever in an increasingly interdependent world. Given the expected growth of the global energy system in the coming decades, enhancing mutual understanding is essential.

We share many common challenges, including ensuring secure energy supplies and market outlets, supporting Mediterranean regional stability and prosperity, and combating climate change through greenhouse gas reduction objectives. Our work program therefore promises to be rich and demanding.

Cooperation prospects are promising given the strong investment and technological partnership potential between Algerian and European Union companies in electricity, renewable energy, interconnections, hydrogen, and energy efficiency.

Before concluding, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to continuing dialogue activities in the same spirit of constructive,open, and straightforward cooperation, enabling further intensification, expansion, and diversification across various cooperation fields.

Thank you for your kind attention.