A landmark agreement was formalized this Thursday in Algiers, uniting Algeria and Chad in a collaborative effort to construct a 40-megawatt electrical power plant in N’Djamena.
The accord, signed by Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, and Chad’s Minister of Water and Energy, Passalé Kanabé Marcelin, outlines the development of a 40-megawatt electricity generation facility in the Chadian capital. This initiative underscores a commitment to fortify bilateral cooperation, aligning with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s vision for supporting African nations and fostering South-South partnerships.
Technical blueprint complete for N’Djamena power plant
The signing ceremony followed productive discussions between Minister Adjal and his Chadian counterpart, who was on a working visit to Algeria. Their talks focused on expanding bilateral cooperation across the energy and renewable energy sectors, exploring avenues for concrete project development. This comprehensive partnership encompasses electricity production, transmission, and distribution, alongside the provision of essential electrical and gas equipment, and specialized training programs.
Minister Adjal confirmed that the technical study for the power plant’s construction has been successfully completed. This milestone was reached after technical teams from the Sonelgaz group recently visited Chad. He emphasized that both nations are now prepared to advance to the equipment export phase, anticipating an imminent groundbreaking ceremony for the project. Furthermore, Adjal announced the arrival of Chadian technical personnel in Algeria for an intensive month-long training program at Sonelgaz’s specialized schools. These teams are earmarked to manage and operate the power plant once it becomes operational. He also noted that the bilateral cooperation extends to the vital rehabilitation of N’Djamena’s existing electrical grid.
Algeria: a vital energy partner for africa
Minister Marcelin hailed the agreement for the new power plant as a “historic milestone” within the framework of South-South cooperation, marking a significant progression in Algeria-Chad relations. He recalled that the foundations for this robust partnership between the two fraternal nations were laid during Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s official visit to Algeria last April.
Expressing profound gratitude to the Algerian President for his steadfast support and guidance in the energy domain, Marcelin affirmed Algeria’s emergence as a “true reference” for numerous African countries, particularly in electricity provision, given its impressive production capabilities. He articulated Chad’s ambition to leverage Algerian expertise, highlighting that 12 Chadian trainees are currently undergoing specialized training in Algeria for power plant operations, with future groups set to benefit from similar programs.
A ‘100 percent algerian’ power solution
Yazid Djellouli, CEO of Sonelgaz International, informed the press that the N’Djamena power plant will be “one hundred percent Algerian” in its construction, equipment, and workforce. He confirmed that Chadian authorities are poised to commence site preparation works for the infrastructure, concurrently with the transfer of equipment and the initiation of construction activities.
Djellouli underscored Sonelgaz International’s strategic objective to expand its footprint across Africa, noting that since its establishment last March, the company has received multiple requests from African nations for energy and related infrastructure projects. Similarly, Saleh Ben Haliki, Director General of Tchadienne d’électricité (TchadElec), lauded the power plant project as a primary outcome of the “new relations” between Algeria and Chad in the energy sector. He reiterated Chad’s eagerness to benefit from Algeria’s renowned expertise, recognizing Algeria as a “true reference” in electricity coverage.
