The deadline for the call for tenders for the deployment of 1 GWp of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Algeria has been extended by 45 days to June 15 following the request of some investors, the managing director of the state-owned company overseeing the project told media platform At-Taqa.

The longer period for the submission of bids has attracted more investors wishing to participate in the project, Smail Mougari, managing director of Shaems, said in an interview with the energy-focused platform.

The delay will provide enough time to visit the sites of the projects, decide on financing details and prepare the technical and financing offers, Mougari added.

Algeria launched the tenders at the end of December, targeting the allocation of capacity in lots of between 50 MW and 300 MW. The solar plants will be built at 11 sites that have already been selected.

The terms allow each developer to bid for one or more batches of 300 MW in total. The winners will be awarded a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

The mega-project has attracted serious interest and more than 80 local and international developers had signalled interest in participating in the initiative by February, as the country's Minister of Energy Transition and Renewable Energy, Benattou Ziane, said in an interview back then.