Cooperation between Algeria and Niger is taking a new step forward in the energy sector. A team of experts from the Sonelgaz Group traveled to Niamey to begin on-site studies for the implementation of a power plant for the benefit of the Nigerien electricity company Nigelec. This mission is part of implementing the orientations of the Algerian and Nigerien presidents, Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Abdourahamane Tiani, formulated following the latter’s visit to Algeria last February for three days, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy field.
The Sonelgaz team, which arrived in the Nigerien capital on Friday, includes a comprehensive diagnosis of needs in electrical and gas equipment, the Algerian company indicated in a press release. This approach aims to support “Nigelec” in establishing a central warehouse for materials and equipment, intended to back projects for the construction and extension of high-, medium-, and low-voltage electricity networks.
This trip comes in the context of the coordination meeting held on February 18 by videoconference between Sonelgaz officials and their Nigerien counterparts. The two parties had then agreed to accelerate the pace of preparatory work and finalize the technical and organizational aspects of the project in order to launch, as soon as possible, the implementation phase of the power plant.
The project therefore involves building a power plant in the Gorou Banda area in Niamey, with the installation of two gas turbines each with a capacity of 20 megawatts. This new infrastructure will strengthen Niger’s electricity production capacities, consolidate the stability of the national grid, and meet the growing energy demand.
Beyond increasing production capacities, this strategic partnership between Sonelgaz and “Nigelec” also provides support for developing transport and distribution networks, transfer of expertise, as well as implementation of training and capacity-building programs in the fields of electricity production, transport, and distribution, both in-person and remotely, as specified in the same press release.
In the continuation of this visit, the first day’s work was marked by a coordination meeting with the secretary general of the Nigerien supervisory ministry. On this occasion, the parties established a joint action plan and set up two operational field teams composed of representatives from Sonelgaz, the ministry, and “Nigelec,” to accelerate project implementation and ensure better coordination among the various stakeholders.
The first team began inspecting the selected site for the power plant, focusing on preparations related to installing the two gas turbines. The experts ensured verification of the infrastructure’s compliance with required technical standards, while adopting the previously developed roadmap as a reference framework for executing the work.
Meanwhile, the second team visited proposed sites for installing electrical equipment warehouses. Several land plots were examined according to technical and logistical criteria to select the most suitable location to support future projects for constructing and extending transport and distribution networks.
The day ended with an evaluation meeting with “Nigelec” officials, dedicated to reviewing field visit results and defining next steps. New meetings are planned with relevant authorities to present inspection conclusions and discuss technical aspects related to the two projects, Sonelgaz emphasized.
This dynamic reflects Sonelgaz’s willingness to “accompany its partners in Niger through an integrated approach combining technical expertise, organizational support, and strengthening operational readiness, to ensure project execution according to the highest standards,” the Algerian group specified in its press release.
The Sonelgaz Group’s technical mission is “in line with the strategic vision of the President of the Republic aimed at strengthening South-South partnership and supporting energy cooperation and integration with Niger,” and this “in service of energy security and sustainable development in both countries,” the press release added.