A significant agreement was formally concluded this Thursday in Algiers, marking a pivotal moment in energy cooperation between Algeria and Chad. The pact paves the way for the construction of a substantial 40-megawatt electrical power plant in N’Djamena.
Mourad Adjal, Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, alongside Passalé Kanabé Marcelin, the Chadian Minister of Water and Energy, formally endorsed this crucial accord. The agreement specifically outlines the development of a 40-megawatt electricity generation facility in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena. This initiative underscores a commitment to fortifying bilateral cooperation, aligning seamlessly with the directives of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who champions support for African nations and the advancement of robust South-South partnerships.
Technical Study for N’Djamena Power Plant Completed
The signing ceremony followed extensive discussions between Minister Adjal and his Chadian counterpart, who was on a working visit to Algeria. During these high-level talks, both delegations thoroughly explored avenues for bilateral cooperation across the energy and renewable energy sectors. They also identified concrete strategies to bolster this partnership, focusing on developing tangible projects encompassing electricity production, transmission, and distribution, as well as the provision of essential electrical and gas equipment, and comprehensive training programs.
Minister Adjal confirmed that the technical feasibility study for the new power plant has been successfully concluded. This milestone comes after Sonelgaz group’s technical teams visited Chad last week. He emphasized that both nations are now prepared to advance to the critical phase of equipment export, anticipating the imminent groundbreaking ceremony for the project. Furthermore, Adjal revealed that Chadian technical personnel are scheduled to arrive in Algeria for a month-long specialized training program at Sonelgaz’s academies. These trained teams will ultimately be responsible for operating the power plant once it becomes operational. He also specified that the scope of bilateral cooperation will extend to include the vital rehabilitation of N’Djamena’s existing electrical grid infrastructure.
Algeria: A “True Benchmark” in Energy Development
For his part, Minister Marcelin hailed the agreement for the power plant’s construction as a “historic milestone” within the framework of South-South cooperation, calling it a significant stride in enhancing Algeria-Chad relations. He further elaborated that the leaders of both nations had previously laid the groundwork for robust collaboration during Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s official visit to Algeria last April, fostering deeper ties between the two fraternal countries.
He conveyed profound gratitude to the Algerian President for his unwavering support to Chad and his invaluable assistance in the energy sector. Minister Marcelin observed that Algeria has emerged as a “true benchmark” for numerous African countries, especially concerning electricity provision, given its impressive production capabilities. He stated that Chad is eager to leverage Algerian expertise, noting that a cohort of 12 Chadian trainees is currently undergoing specialized instruction in Algeria focused on power plant operations, with future groups slated for similar comprehensive training.
The N’Djamena Power Plant: “One Hundred Percent Algerian”
Yazid Djellouli, the President and CEO of Sonelgaz International, affirmed that the upcoming power plant in Chad will be “one hundred percent Algerian” in its construction, equipment, and workforce. He assured that Chadian authorities are set to commence site preparation work for the infrastructure in the near future, coinciding with the transfer of necessary equipment and the official launch of construction activities.
Djellouli further articulated the company’s strategic goal of expanding its footprint across Africa. Since its establishment last March, Sonelgaz International has received numerous inquiries from various African nations regarding energy and related infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Saleh Ben Haliki, the Director General of TchadElec (Chad’s national electricity company), lauded the power plant initiative. He described it as a significant initial outcome of the “new relations” blossoming between Algeria and Chad in the energy sector, highlighting Chad’s keen desire to capitalize on Algerian expertise. In his view, Algeria has indeed solidified its position as a “true benchmark” for electrical coverage on the continent.
