Yousfi said that the development of the programme will take place in two phases. The first three-year one will regard experimentation on solar wnwefy and wind power technologies. The second phase will involve universities and research institutions and will aim to adapt these technologies to local climatic conditions.
In fact, this second phase should create the grounds for the development of a local renewable energy industry, with important effects on employment. According to the Algerian minister this development programme will create between 100,000 and 200,000 new jobs.
The government specifically focuses on developing the solar energy industry. "Algeria – said the minister – is the sunniest country in the world, with an average of nearly 3,000 kW per square metre, with even higher values in the country’s southern vast desert areas ".
Besides developing a domestic renewable energy industry, the investment programme is also aimed at supporting energy saving projects in buildings and transport.
