Algeria and Chad have officially inked an agreement in Algiers this Thursday for the construction of a 40-megawatt power plant in N’Djamena.
The landmark deal was formally signed by Mourad Adjal, Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, and Passalé Kanabé Marcelin, the Chadian Minister of Water and Energy. This initiative to establish a 40-megawatt electricity generation facility in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, underscores a commitment to bolster bilateral cooperation, aligning with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s vision for supporting African nations and advancing South-South partnerships.
Technical assessment completed
This pivotal agreement followed extensive discussions between Minister Adjal and his Chadian counterpart, who was on a working visit to Algeria. Their talks centered on expanding bilateral cooperation across the energy and renewable energy sectors. Both sides explored concrete project development strategies within a comprehensive partnership framework, encompassing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as the provision of electrical and gas equipment, and specialized training programs.
Minister Adjal confirmed that the technical study for the power plant’s construction has been successfully finalized. This milestone was achieved after Sonelgaz group technical teams visited Chad last week. He emphasized that both nations are now poised to commence equipment export, anticipating the imminent groundbreaking ceremony for the project. Furthermore, Chadian technical personnel are expected to arrive in Algeria for a month-long training program at Sonelgaz institutions. These trained teams will ultimately be responsible for operating the power plant once it becomes operational. Adjal also highlighted that bilateral cooperation would extend to the crucial rehabilitation of N’Djamena’s electrical grid.
Algeria: “a true benchmark” in energy
Minister Marcelin lauded the power plant agreement as “a historic milestone” for South-South cooperation and a significant advancement in Algeria-Chad relations. He recalled that the foundations for robust collaboration between the two fraternal nations were established during Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s official visit to Algeria last April.
He conveyed profound gratitude to the Algerian President for his unwavering support and guidance in the energy sector. Marcelin affirmed that Algeria has emerged as “a true benchmark” for numerous African nations, particularly in electricity provision, given its impressive production capabilities. He articulated his country’s strong desire to leverage Algerian expertise, noting that 12 Chadian trainees are currently undergoing specialized training in Algeria focused on power plant operations, with further cohorts anticipated to benefit from similar programs.
A power plant “one hundred percent Algerian”
Yazid Djellouli, CEO of Sonelgaz International, affirmed that the new power plant in Chad will be “one hundred percent Algerian” in its construction, equipment, and workforce. He assured that Chadian authorities would soon commence site preparation work for the infrastructure, coinciding with the transfer of equipment and the official launch of construction activities.
Djellouli also articulated Sonelgaz International’s strategic goal to expand its presence across Africa, noting that since its establishment last March, the company has received numerous requests from various African nations for energy and related infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Saleh Ben Haliki, Director General of TchadElec, warmly welcomed the power plant initiative, hailing it as one of the inaugural achievements of the “new relations” between Algeria and Chad in the energy sector. He underscored Chad’s eagerness to benefit from Algeria’s proven expertise, recognizing Algeria as, in his words, “a true reference” in electricity provision.