The Algerian company SPS (Système Panneaux Sandwichs), which specialises in sandwich panels (monobloc and multilayer panels), frames and profiles, has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Qi-Energy, a renewable energy supplier based in Dubai. The partnership aims to build "high quality" photovoltaic solar panel assembly structures. The solar panels that will leave the factories will be destined for the Algerian and African market.
Algeria, like several African countries, has great energy ambitions. In its forecasts, the country hopes to achieve a 27% production rate of electricity from green energy by 2027, producing about 22,000 MW from renewable sources. The aim is to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, limit the subsidy on the price of electricity from the domestic grid and free up volumes of gas for export.
However, since 2011, the year in which Algeria committed itself to the development of green energy, less than 30 solar power plants have been installed in this North African country. Several reasons may explain this delay. Among them is the inadequacy of local techniques. This is what justifies the joint venture that has just been set up between the Algerian company SPS (Système Panneaux Sandwichs), which specialises in sandwich panels (monobloc and multilayer panels), frames and profiles, and Qi-Energy, a renewable energy supplier based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The contract covers the construction of “high quality” photovoltaic mounting structures in Algeria. The solar panels that will come out of the future assembly units will be destined for the Algerian and African market.
“We have chosen to raise the bar by introducing high quality solutions for ground and residential power plants on the Algerian market, and soon for photovoltaic solar power plants for seawater desalination plants, which require new materials (composites). Besides, this partnership with Qi-Energy enables us to prepare ourselves to export to the African market (30 GW by 2030) high quality SPS structures made in Algeria”, explains Mehdi Bendimerad, CEO of SPS.
Structures that comply with international requirements?
In addition to quality assurance, the photovoltaic technology that will come from the mounting structures of the solar equipment will also have to comply with international standards. These relate to long-term IPP (Independent Power Producer) / IPP (Power Purchase Agreement) contracts to produce competitive green energy. This is why SPS has chosen to select highly automated and reliable European and New Zealand equipment for future solar assembly units. Once the installations are in place, SPS will be able to start taking orders and supplying, together with the company Qi-Energy, a state-of-the-art solution for all applications in the Algerian and African solar photovoltaic market.
Qi-Energy specialises in the supply of rooftop solar systems, ground-mounted solar farms and floating solar solutions. It also has many years of experience in engineering, construction and development in the renewable energy sector. Arguments that will serve well the interests of the Algerian leader in sandwich panels, SPS.
Inès Magoum
