Algeria’s state electricity and gas utility Sonelgaz estimates the price of required power generation, transmission and distribution capacity additions during 2014-17 at AD1.7 trillion ($21.5bn). To satisfy double-digit demand growth, the company is adding 12.18GW of generating capacity by 2017. It recently awarded contracts for six combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants worth a total $4.05bn.
In an interview with the El Watan newspaper, Sonelgaz official Rabah Touileb said that Algeria’s electricity demand is growing at a rate of more than 10% a year. Since 2008, the seasonal demand peak has switched from winter to summer, because of the increasing use of air conditioning, he added. (CONTINUED - 263 WORDS)
