Algeria renewable energy investment lacking

Abdelaziz Bouteflika

While other African countries are recognising the potential that renewable energy offers - from limitless energy, to a stronger economy and less pollution - Algeria has opted to not invest in the renewable energy market.

While Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has said he recognises the ability for the energy sector to drive the country's economy and expand it, the majority of investment and energy in the industry will not go on renewable sources.

While Bouteflika has issued a draft of a "real action plan" on the development of renewable energy sources, the country's investment of $286 billion into the energy sector over the next four years is primarily going into the hydrocarbon sector, such as oil and gas.

For a country that has high levels of sunlight, Bouteflika's shortsightedness on this matter, choosing to concentrate on developing the hydrocarbon industry, could backfire for the country within a few years.

The President was quoted by local news sources as saying that the country needed to increase investment in the ""development of its hydrocarbon potential, intensifying research efforts and exploration." He also called for a re-evaluation of petrochemical industry projects in order to "create a downstream industry."

"We must ... mobilise domestic financing and encourage the entry of high level foreign partners to explore our large reserves of iron and phosphate, for example," he added.

Energy and Mines Minister Youcef Yousfi forecast growth in output of hydrocarbons thanks to an "effort to optimise the exploitation of deposits".

Algeria is one of the richest country's in North Africa and is often credited with maintaining its economy. By opting to invest in oil and gas instead of renewable sources, Algeria could change how other countries see alternative energy. However, for many, those countries who don't have oil supplies, the need for alternative energy is a necessity rather than a choice.

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