Algeria has opened high-level discussions with China’s Kibing Group, one of the world’s leading advanced glass manufacturers, to roll out the ambitious “Algeria Solar Glass Project.” This planned collaboration is part of the country’s steps to consolidate its leadership in renewable energies.
The initiative, revealed during a strategic meeting at the Ministry of Energy, is designed to position Algeria as a regional hub for solar technology and sustainable industries, strengthening its role in the global energy transition.
About solar glass
Solar glass is specialised glass with integrated photovoltaic cells, allowing it to generate electricity from sunlight while also functioning as a transparent building element like a window or facade.
Unlike traditional solar panels, solar glass offers an aesthetic integration of energy generation with architecture, but it can currently have lower efficiencies and higher costs.
Solar glass serves dual purposes: it produces electricity through the photovoltaic effect and provides protection, durability, and light transmission for buildings or agricultural applications.
Solar glass project set to be an industrial vision
The project’s core is constructing a large-scale solar glass plant with an annual production capacity of 1.53 million tonnes. Complementing this will be a state-of-the-art unit dedicated to the processing and valorising ultra-pure silica sand, with a projected capacity of 1.08 million tonnes per year.
Officials estimate that the dual project will boost Algeria’s industrial capacity and generate 3,000 direct jobs, with a remarkable 90 per cent local integration rate.
Algeria is taking a decisive step toward transforming raw materials into high-value industrial outputs by leveraging its abundant natural resources, particularly its rich silica deposits.
Therefore, the project is more than just a factory. It is envisioned as an anchor for Algeria’s industrial diversification, helping the nation reduce its dependency on hydrocarbons while creating new pathways for economic growth.
Driving Algeria’s energy transition
Government officials stressed that the solar glass project will be a strategic pillar in Algeria’s broader energy transition. By developing a fully integrated solar manufacturing chain, the country aims to meet rising domestic energy demands while positioning itself as an exporter of solar technologies to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Such a move could secure Algeria’s place as a central player in the global clean energy value chain while reinforcing its economic sovereignty.
Speaking at the meeting, Secretary of State for Renewable Energies, Noureddine Yassa, reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to building strong international partnerships in renewable energy.
“Algeria remains determined to foster fruitful collaborations with global leaders in clean technology,” he said, highlighting ongoing reforms improving Algeria’s investment climate.
He further emphasised that new measures now provide “unprecedented guarantees and incentives for large-scale strategic projects.”
Transparency and sustainable development
Alongside energy transition goals, the project reflects Algeria’s determination to align industrial growth with sustainability. Secretary of State for Mines, Karima Bekir Tafer, underscored the importance of responsible management of the country’s mining wealth.
She explained that transparent and efficient mechanisms are already in place to ensure that the valorisation of Algeria’s national mining resources supports long-term development priorities.
“The government’s approach is to ensure that all investments in mining and energy projects are aligned with Algeria’s sustainable development strategy,” Tafer noted, stressing that the solar glass initiative is expected to serve as a model of how natural resources can be transformed into high-value, technology-driven industries.
Sino-Algerian cooperation for clean energy
The collaboration reflects a significant international expansion for Kibing Group, which has built a strong reputation as a global leader in photovoltaic, Low-E, and insulating glass.
The company brings internationally certified expertise and advanced technological know-how, ensuring that the project is about industrial investment and knowledge transfer. By joining forces with Algeria, Kibing is set to create a long-term partnership that strengthens Sino-Algerian relations while supporting the development of green industries.
The two parties have agreed to intensify technical discussions in the coming days. Specialised working groups will focus on feasibility studies, financing models, and implementation strategies.
The Algeria Solar Glass Project will mark a new chapter in Algeria’s industrial diversification if successfully executed.
It will stand as a landmark achievement in the country’s energy transition and a powerful symbol of Algeria-China cooperation in the global quest for sustainable progress.