Geothermal Resources in Algeria

Abstract

The electrical energy from renewables in Algeria contributed about 3.4% (280 MW) in 2008 of a total power of 8.1 GWe and will reach 5% by the year 2017 according to the Algerian Electricity and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG). The country’s target is reaching 40% by 2030. The geothermal resources in Algeria are of low-enthalpy type. Most of these geothermal resources are located in the north of the country and generate a heat discharge of 240 MWt. There are more than 240 thermal springs in Algeria. Three geothermal zones have been delineated according to some geological and thermal considerations: (1) The Tlemcenian dolomites in the northwestern part of Algeria, (2) carbonate formations in the northeastern part of Algeria and (3) the sandstone Albian reservoir in the Sahara (south of Algeria). The thermal waters are currently used in balneology and in a few experimental direct uses (greenhouses) in Ouargla and Touggourt (NE Algerian Sahara). Recently some fish farms started in Ghardaia and Ouargla by using the hot waters of the Albian aquifer (South of Algeria) to produce Tilapia fish. NW Algeria benefits from a geothermal heat pump for space heating and cooling by using a thermal water of 46 oC with a flow rate of 25 m^3/h. The inventory of thermal springs has been updated with more than 240 springs identified. The highest temperatures recorded were 68 oC for the western area, 80 oC for the central area, and 98 oC for the eastern area. In the south, the thermal springs have a mean temperature of 50 oC. The northeastern zone of the country, covering an area of 15,000 km^2, remains potentially the most interesting geothermal area, with the Barda spring giving 100 L/s, and another spring in the area having the highest temperature in the country (98 oC).