Eni and Sonatrach have inaugurated the solar Lab and laid the first stone of a 10MW photovoltaic plant in the Bir Rebaa North (BRN) production complex, in the Berkine basin, south-eastern Algeria.
The Solar Lab displays different photovoltaic panels which will be tested in the extreme irradiation conditions of Southern Algeria, ensuring data collection and analysis, allowing to identify the most efficient technologies, Eni said in a press release on November 17.
The Solar Lab will be open to universities and other public institutions for research purposes and help in promoting the development of renewable energy sources in Algeria.
The photovoltaic plant will be the second one linked to the BRN facility, to further contribute to decarbonise the facility’s hydrocarbon production. Together with an existing 10MW photovoltaic facility launched in 2018, it will double the renewable energy available to power the upstream processes; it will be followed by another PV facility at the Menzel Ledjmet East Project (MLE) production complex, also in the Berkine Basin, whose construction is expected to begin in 2023.
These initiatives are in line with Eni’s global net-zero strategy and are part of a wider decarbonisation plan that also includes venting monitoring and zero routine flaring projects, energy efficiency and green hydrogen initiatives.
Commenting on the event, Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said “Decarbonising our legacy businesses is a pillar of Eni’s net-zero strategy, and today we celebrate the strong alignment between Eni and Sonatrach towards carbon neutrality.”