Challenges and prospects of concentrated solar power deployment in Algeria

Abstract

The global community is targeting to triple the renewables capacity by 2030. Middle East and North Africa Region can play a key role in this process. Algeria is one of these countries not far from Europe and is expected to be a big exporter of renewable energy. The decision-makers in Algeria have planned to deploy solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) as main renewable energy systems. This study aims to shed some light on the barriers that hindered deployment of the CSP in Algeria though the high potential in terms of solar energy. In this study, data were collected from various sources and the literature. The data are examined, analyzed, and discussed to highlight the barriers of CSP deployment in Algeria. The study showed that cost, energy prices in the Algerian market and water consumption are the main causes for the low deployment of CSP in the country. However, exporting clean electricity to Europe would renew the interest of Algeria in CSP in the future.