Algeria has commissioned a 300-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, the largest of its kind in the country, as it steps up efforts to expand renewable energy and reduce its reliance on natural gas for electricity generation.
The Foulia solar PV plant was inaugurated by the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies and spans 600 hectares. The facility was built by Chinese construction company CSCEC, according to the Algeria Press Service on October 26, 2026.
Foulia is the third solar PV plant to become operational in Algeria in 2026, following the commissioning of the 200MW Tendla plant in El-Meghaier Province and the 200MW El-Ghrous plant in Biskra Province in April.
The projects form part of Algeria’s national programme to achieve 15 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar PV capacity by 2035.
More Solar Projects in the Pipeline
Algeria is advancing an initial phase of 22 solar projects with a combined capacity of 3.2GW across the country, as the government seeks to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.
Authorities are targeting the addition of 1.4GW of new capacity by the end of 2026. A further 17 projects, with a combined capacity of 2.4GW, are scheduled to enter service in 2027, according to the country’s Minister of Energy.
The planned developments are expected to expand Algeria’s solar generation capacity and support its longer-term renewable energy ambitions.
Reducing Dependence on Natural Gas
Despite the expansion plans, Algeria’s electricity generation remains heavily dependent on natural gas, which accounts for approximately 99% of the country’s power mix, according to the cited industry data.
Solar energy currently contributes only a marginal share of electricity generation.
The government’s solar development programme is intended to gradually reduce the use of natural gas in power generation by increasing the contribution of renewable energy.
The commissioning of the Foulia plant marks another step in that effort, as Algeria pursues its 2035 solar capacity target through new projects and expanded investment in photovoltaic infrastructure.