les capacités productives dépasseront prochainement 27.000 mégawatts
Sonelgaz Plans Expansion for Summer Energy Demand
The Algerian public utility company Sonelgaz has announced plans to increase its electricity production capacity to over 27,000 megawatts in response to rising demand, particularly during summer peak consumption. This announcement was made during the annual meeting with Sonelgaz executives and directors from the energy, mining, and renewable energy sectors. The gathering aimed to review the company’s performance in 2024 and outline preparations for ensuring a reliable electricity supply for the upcoming summer season.
Sonelgaz has developed a specific action plan to address the expected surge in energy consumption common during summer months. This plan includes an increase in productive capacity of approximately 1,172 megawatts to maintain high-quality service for clients alongside adequate maintenance schedules. By implementing these measures, the total production capacity is set to rise to 27,333 megawatts from nearly 26,000 megawatts in 2024.
The peak electricity demand is projected to reach 21,500 megawatts, especially if temperatures exceed average seasonal levels, a notable increase from the 19,543 megawatts recorded in the previous summer. The 2024 report highlights various projects aimed at strengthening the network and enhancing service quality.
In a significant move to extend service reach, Sonelgaz reported connecting 104,490 new clients to the electricity network and 361,895 to natural gas in 2024. Additionally, 41 industrial zones are now electrified, with 29 also connected to the gas network. In commercial activity zones, 100 areas have been connected to electricity, and 69 to gas.
In the agricultural sector, 69,567 agricultural areas gained electricity access in 2024, with expectations to increase this figure to 86,772 by the end of 2025. Overall, the total number of electricity subscribers has surpassed 12 million, reflecting a coverage rate exceeding 99%, while natural gas subscription has crossed 8 million, achieving a national coverage of about 70%.
A key highlight of Sonelgaz’s initiatives is the launch of an electricity interconnection project aimed at linking northern and southern regions of Algeria, with the first phase expected to go live by 2026. The completion of this project is projected to take place between 2035 and 2040.
On the renewable energy front, Sonelgaz initiated the first phase of its renewable energy program, targeting 3,200 megawatts, anticipated to start operation by 2026. Furthermore, the establishment of four laboratories to control the technical quality of domestic appliances and carbon monoxide detectors has been accomplished in several cities, including Algiers, Sétif, and Oran.
Despite these advancements, the company has faced significant challenges due to theft and assaults on its infrastructure. The report highlighted 12,873 incidents of aggression, resulting in financial losses exceeding 5.6 billion DZD. Additionally, 3,623 reported assaults on the electrical network accounted for over 400 million DZD in losses. In total, Sonelgaz recorded over 11.3 billion DZD in losses due to energy theft, with 9,849 complaints filed regarding such incidents, leading overall losses from aggressions and thefts to surpass 17.3 billion DZD.
In summary, Sonelgaz is strategically enhancing its production capacity to address substantial electricity demand during peak seasons, while also taking measures to ensure network reliability and service quality. With an aggressive expansion plan and ongoing network improvements, the company aims to provide better energy access to increasingly connected regions and contribute to Algeria’s energy sustainability efforts. However, the significant losses due to security breaches pose ongoing challenges that the organization must address moving forward.
