A review on the water and energy sectors in Algeria: Current forecasts, scenario and sustainability issues

Abstract

The water sector in Algeria has to date paid scant attention to the issue of climate change and is often unaware of its impact on future water resources. Studies will be needed to assess the impact and cost of climate change and draw up adaptation solutions.Forecasts are not optimistic. Models for climate change indicate that rainfall could decrease by more than 20% by 2050, which would result in even greater worsening water shortages in different basins of Algeria. The construction of 70 dams planned will provide only small additional volumes.The particular challenge for Algeria in the coming decades will be to adapt to a decrease in renewable water resources. The country will have to carefully manage these resources. Mobilization of non-conventional water resources (desalination and wastewater reuse) will be a strategic component of future water policy.The development of unconventional resources and the management of water demand will increase more the energy consumption of the water sector. This consumption would reach nearly 12% of the country׳s consumption and must be integrated dice now in the country׳s energy forecasts.More coordinated planning and action will consequently be required between the water and energy sectors if further aggravation of the water deficit is to be avoided.Moreover, the revolution in renewable energy (wind and solar power) in terms of technological development and costs may help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and ensure reserves for future generations by fostering decentralized renewable energy projects for alimentation of pumping stations.Algeria has thus set itself by 2030 a share of renewable energy in the national energy balance of between 30% and 40%. The share of renewable power by 2023 will represent about 17% of installed capacity (5539MW) compared to 4.74% in 2011 (540MW).