The Algerian government has launched the Fréha-Béjaïa gas pipeline project, a long-awaited initiative that will connect over 11,000 households to natural gas in the provinces of Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa. The project, which was initially budgeted at 2.5 billion dinars, has been revised to 4.7 billion dinars and will span a distance of 52 kilometers. The pipeline will transport natural gas from Fréha, 28 kilometers east of Tizi-Ouzou, to Akerrou and then to the localities of Béjaïa province.
The project, which was initially included in the 2010-2014 five-year plan, had been put on hold but has now been relaunched. The construction of the pipeline will be carried out by Kanagaz de Rouiba, which has already set up its construction site and has a significant amount of equipment in place. The company aims to complete the first 14 kilometers of the pipeline within 10 months. The project will connect the communes of Akerrou, Aït Chaffa, and Zekri in Tizi Ouzou province, as well as five other communes in Béjaïa province.
The completion of the project is expected to achieve two major objectives for the Ministry of Energy. Firstly, it will connect all 67 communes in Tizi Ouzou province to natural gas. Secondly, it will create a network of natural gas transportation that will secure the availability of this energy source for the provinces of Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa. The region is known for its harsh winters, and many households currently rely on wood for heating.
In Tizi Ouzou province, 62 communes are currently connected to natural gas, with 37 of them being fully connected. Two other communes are in the process of being connected, and the three communes covered by this new project will also be connected once the work is completed. In Béjaïa province, the current connection rate to natural gas is 52%, benefiting only 116,000 households. The project aims to provide natural gas to over 56,000 new households in the province.
The launch of the project was attended by the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Industry, who also announced another project to improve electricity supply in several communes of Tizi Ouzou province. The project involves the construction of seven new 60/30 kilovolt posts, which will strengthen the electricity supply to around 20 localities that currently experience frequent power outages.
The construction of the seven new posts is expected to be completed between 2021 and 2024. The post in Chaoufa, whose construction is already underway, is expected to be completed in 2021 and will improve the electricity supply to several localities, including Mekla, Tizi-Rached, and El-Kahra. The other posts will be completed in the following years.
The successful completion of the Fréha-Béjaïa gas pipeline project and the electricity supply project will significantly improve the living conditions of residents in Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa provinces. The projects will provide a reliable source of energy for households and businesses, supporting economic growth and development in the region.
Key points
- The Fréha-Béjaïa gas pipeline project will connect over 11,000 households to natural gas in Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa provinces.
- The project is expected to be completed in two phases, with the first phase covering 14 kilometers and the second phase covering the remaining 38 kilometers.
- The Algerian government aims to connect all 67 communes in Tizi Ouzou province to natural gas and create a network of natural gas transportation that will secure the availability of this energy source for the provinces of Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa.
