Algeria records all-time high electricity demand amid heatwave

Algeria is targeting the production of 15,000 MW of electricity from renewable energy sources.

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Algeria recorded its highest ever electricity demand on Monday (13 July), as a scorching heatwave swept across most of the country.

Algeria’s state-owned electricity and gas company, Sonelgaz, recorded electricity consumption reaching a record 21,870 megawatts (MW). The new record is 750 MW higher than demand on Sunday (12 July), which stood at 21,120 MW.

Previously, the highest electricity consumption in Algeria was recorded in July 2025, at 20,628 MW.

Sonelgaz attributed the record demand to soaring temperatures and high humidity, which triggered a sharp rise in electricity consumption across the country.

Algeria currently generates around 29,000 MW of electricity per day, producing a surplus of more than 8,000 MW, including nearly 1,000 MW generated from renewable sources, mainly solar power.

More than 95 per cent of Algeria’s electricity production comes from natural gas-fired power plants, whilst the country also exports more than 500 MW of electricity each day to its neighbour, Tunisia.

The Algerian government is targeting the production of 15,000 MW of electricity from renewable sources, mainly solar and wind energy, by 2035.

Algeria’s civil protection authorities have recorded more than 300 forest, bush and agricultural land fires, including oil palm plantations, since Thursday (9 July).

In addition, prolonged drought conditions continue to fuel the risk of forest fires across the country.

Algeria has experienced repeated droughts in recent years, leading to declining dam and groundwater levels, as well as increasingly destructive forest fire seasons.

Source: Anadolu