New Energy.
Algeria Focus Q2 2021

Prepared exclusively for the ABBC by ItriInsights

With the support of Neptune Energy & Petrofac

Introduction

ABBC Chairman Lady Olga Maitland announces the launch of a quarterly renewable energy review, entitled, New Energy, Algeria Focus. ‘The drive for renewable energy solutions is an imperative in a modern world. This has been reflected by not only government initiatives but also by the private sector.

The ABBC is conscious of the efforts to address the changes by the Algerian and UK governments, but also pay tribute to the exciting, innovative and ambitious research being undertaken by the private sector. Without them, we would not have the brave new world and options they are presenting to us. In the ABBC reports we are grateful to Neptune Energy and Petrofac for sharing with us their own research, and giving support to our programme to inform a wider public. As the reader will note, we will cover a range of private sector research programmes both from the UK and Algeria, and trust that he will share our enthusiasm for their creativity which will be the benefit to us all.’

UK policy updates

Preparations for COP26 summit intensify
Preparations for COP26, the vital climate talks due to take place this year in Glasgow intensified in May, after nations compromised over how to conduct virtual negotiations ahead of the summit. The climate talks are set for November after being postponed for a year owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The summit is viewed as one of the last chances to put the world on track to fulfil the 2015 Paris climate agreement, and tackle the climate emergency. Ahead of the summit, governments held a three-week long virtual meeting from 31st May to 17th June, to begin negotiations and hammer out agreements on key aspects of the talks. But countries will still have to wait until they meet in person to rubber stamp any decisions.
(Read more on the full report – link to the document available on this page)

Algeria policy updates

Ben Attou Ziane replaces Chems Eddine Chitour as Minister of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies
On Wednesday 7th July 2021, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune appointed a new government to be led by the Prime Minister Aymane Benabderrahmane. While Minister of Energy and Mining Mohamed Arkab remains unchanged, Chems Eddine Chitour was replaced as Minister of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies by Ben Attou Ziane. Born on 9th August 1960 in Sidi Belabbès, Ziane graduated from the University of Oran with a doctorate in medicine in 1987 and gained further qualifications from the University of Louvain (Belgium) in 1996. He has held the position of professor of pulmonology at the University of Oran since 2011 and published a number of articles. Ziane also served as Head of Department at the Tlemcen University Hospital Centre (CHU), from 2014 until his appointment as Minister.
(Read more on the full report – link to the document available on this page)

Algeria project updates

Launch of 1,000 MW tender is ‘imminent’
On 5th May, the former Minister of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies, Chems Eddine Chitour, confirmed on 5th May that the invitation to tender for the construction of a number of photovoltaic power plants with a total capacity of 1,000 MW would be launched ‘imminently’.

CDER to design technical specifications for creation of 5 KW of wind power
On 8th April, a team from Algeria’s Research Centre for Renewable Energies (CDER) was tasked with defining the specifications for a 5 KW wind turbine intended to power some facilities at the Parc des Grands Vents in Algiers. The power generated by the turbine will be used to partially power a building housing a start-up incubator and datacentre
(Read more on the full report – link to the document available on this page)

UK company initiatives

Neptune Energy

Neptune is one of the largest independent exploration and production companies in Europe. We’re strategically positioned in OECD countries and have substantial production assets in North Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

• Neptune Energy announces ESG and credit rating upgrades: On 6th April 2021, Neptune Energy announced it has received upgrades to its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) and credit ratings. In its latest ESG rating review from Sustainalytics, Neptune received a score of 26.1, putting it in the top 3% of all exploration and production companies rated by the organisation, with a global ranking of 5th out of 169. Read more
• Neptune Energy announces digitisation of offshore platforms: On 2nd June, Neptune Energy announced the digitisation of five of its operated offshore platforms in the Dutch, Norwegian and UK North Sea. This will enable approximately 90 site inspections each year to be carried out from onshore, accelerating work schedules, reducing costs and cutting carbon emissions associated with offshore travel.
  (Read more on the full report – link to the document available on this page)

Petrofac

Petrofac is a leading international service provider to the energy industry. We design, build, manage and maintain infrastructure for the energy industries.

• Petrofac makes senior appointment to support new energy growth: Petrofac has made a senior UK appointment to support the continued growth of its offering in the new and renewable energy sectors. On 15th June, the company announced that Anne Haase, who joins Petrofac as Business Development Director, will spearhead the Group’s Operations and Maintenance focus for new and renewable energy. Read more
• Jonathan Carpenter, Vice President of New Energy Services at Petrofac features in this Gulf Business special report: “For a sustainable future, we will need a mix of fuels and energy sources, depending on the application and environment…” (See Gulf Business, July 2021, page 50, ‘A bright future’ by Zainab Mansoor).
• Petrofac to support Direct Air Capture project: Storegga, through its wholly owned subsidiary Pale Blue Dot Energy, has been awarded a £249,000 grant by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for a development project in Direct Air Capture – a technology that captures carbon dioxide directly out of the atmosphere. Under a collaborative partnership, Petrofac will undertake all Project Management and Engineering for the project.
  (Read more on the full report – link to the document available on this page)