On 26 October 2026, the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Dr. Mourad Adjal, paid a working and inspection visit to El Oued Province. Upon his arrival, he was received by the Governor of the Province, alongside representatives of the local and security authorities.
As part of the visit's programme, the Minister presided over the inauguration of the El Foulia Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant, located in the El Foulia area, in the municipality and district of Guemar, with an installed capacity of 300 MWp. According to the information provided about the project, it is the first of its kind nationally and the second largest in terms of production capacity on the African continent.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Minister received technical briefings from officials of Sonelgaz Renewable Energies, covering the plant's technical specifications, production capacity, various components and equipment, as well as the mechanisms through which solar energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the national electricity grid. He also conducted an inspection tour of the plant's various facilities, including administrative installations, control buildings and technical facilities, where he examined the equipment, its operating conditions and the mechanisms governing its operation.
The plant falls within the first phase of the National Renewable Energy Development Program, which aims to achieve a total installed production capacity estimated at 3,200 MW, distributed across 21 power plants in 14 provinces. This reflects the efforts aimed at diversifying electricity generation sources and increasing the contribution of renewable energies to the national energy mix.
In this context, the El Foulia plant holds strategic importance in strengthening electricity generation capacity, helping meet growing electricity demand, rationalizing the consumption of natural gas used in power generation, and harnessing the solar potential of El Oued Province and the southern region in general. These efforts support local and economic development and contribute to strengthening the security of energy supplies.
On the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, the Minister highlighted the importance of this project and its role in supporting the National Renewable Energy Development Program, emphasizing the need to continue implementing the projects planned in this field, in order to further diversify production sources and support the transition towards a more sustainable energy system.
During the second stage of the visit, the Minister chaired an assessment meeting at the conference hall of the El Oued Provincial Headquarters. The meeting was dedicated to reviewing the current state of the energy and renewable energy sector in the province, assessing the progress of ongoing projects and planned programs, evaluating electricity and gas network coverage, and examining the challenges and needs of the province in terms of energy services.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to assess completed and ongoing projects and explore ways to accelerate the implementation of planned projects, improve the quality of public services, ensure continuity of energy supply and strengthen coordination among the various sector operators. These efforts aim to meet citizens' needs and support the province's economic and social development.
Technical Data Sheet: El Foulia Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant
The plant is located in the El Foulia area, within the municipality and district of Guemar, El Oued Province. It covers an estimated area of approximately 600 hectares and has an installed capacity of 300 MWp.
It is part of the first phase of the National Renewable Energy Development Program, which includes the construction of 21 power plants across 14 provinces, with a total capacity of 3,200 MW.
The plant was inaugurated on 26 October 2026, as part of national efforts to strengthen electricity generation from renewable sources, diversify the energy mix and rationalize the consumption of natural gas used in electricity production.