Algeria’s state-owned utility in charge of electricity and natural gas distribution, Sonelgaz Group’s CEO, Mustapha Guitouni, said that the company is developing a nationwide program aimed at producing 4,000MW of electricity from renewable energies such as solar and windmill, reported Algeria Times.

Guitouni remarked that the Ministry of Energy is currently developing the project’s specifications that will be finalized by the late December or early 2017, according to Algeria Press Services.

Guitouni added that Algeria had generated 400MW of power were nationwide by the use of renewable energies, while the country has no tendency to increase electricity tariffs for consumers. He mentioned that Sonelgas Group’s balance of unpaid receivables has reached about $544m from various segments including domestic and commercial customers, as well as government authorities. He concluded that the group has resorted to debt rescheduling in order to recover these out standing dues.

In related Algerian solar news, Egypt Oil&Gas wrote that the Algerian state energy company Sonatrach had signed a deal with Italian firm ENI for a solar power plant. The 10MW photovoltaic facility would be launched before the end of 2016 in Ouargla in southern Algeria. It would supply the company’s Bir Rebaa field with electricity, allowing the gas to be used for other purposes.