Algeria's Ministry of Energy Transition and Renewable Energy has launched yesterday a tender for the deployment of 1 GW of solar capacity.

The procurement exercise will be divided into lots ranging from 50MW to 300MW each.

Selected developers will be awarded a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) and each developer will be allowed to tender for one or more lots for a maximum cumulative capacity of 300MW.

The deadline to submit project proposals is April 30.

The tender will be held by Algerian Renewable Energy Company (SHAEMS), jointly owned by state-owned gas giant Sonatrach and power utility Sonelgaz, which will be allowed to take a share of up to 25% in the special purpose vehicles that will own the winning projects.

Another three tenders of the same size will likely be held each year between 2022 and 2024. Furthermore, a 500 MW solar tender was launched by Algerian utility Sonelgaz at the beginning of December.