EU-Algeria Energy Business Forum to Conclude
The EU-Algeria Energy Business Forum will conclude today.
EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, traveled to Algeria to develop ongoing energy cooperation with the North African country. This visit comes as part of EU efforts to diversify energy supplies away from Russian oil. During the EU-Algeria Business Forum, representatives from European energy companies and local Algerian partners joined ministers from the EU and Algeria to deepen multilateral partnerships.
The EU is already the main destination for most of Algeria’s gas exports. Since 2016, Algeria has grown as a reliable source of energy for the European Union. As Europe moves away from fossil fuels, renewable energy has been positioned as Algeria’s most valuable energy asset. Progress has already been made to this end with the implementation of “Taka Nadifa”, a joint program intended to prompt Algeria’s energy transition, exemplifying EU-Algerian cooperation in clean energy.
In the first meeting since 2016, the main topic of discussion will be Algeria’s energy transition. EU representatives will be tasked with negotiating for increased oil and gas production while also encouraging Algeria’s clean energy transition. Political factors such as cautious relations with France and reluctance to let go of fossil fuels, an important contributor to Algeria’s economy, limit enthusiasm towards clean energy transitions.
