Ain Azel is a 20 MW solar power plant in Setif, Algeria. It is operated by Sonelgaz SpA [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 8.5k homes (estimated). It ranks #58 of 76 Algeria power plants by installed capacity. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, solar supplies about 1.0% of Algeria's electricity; the national grid averages 633 gCO₂/kWh (1.1% low-carbon) (2024).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WKS0065285.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Capacity and fuel are the upstream open-dataset record, not yet matched to a 2026 registry or GEM entry.
capacity: WRI GPPD; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 20 MW, Ain Azel is around the median solar plant in Algeria (20 MW). Technically it is described as PV. Solar PV converts sunlight directly into electricity with no moving parts or fuel; output varies by time of day and weather, so it pairs with storage or flexible backup.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Algeria solar capacity
- 2.9% of 680 MW across 27 plants in this dataset
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest solar plants in Algeria
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Sonelgaz SpA [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This solar plant converts sunlight directly into electricity with photovoltaic panels. It sits in a cold semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 35.9°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 7% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 47/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
Solar PV loses ~0.35%/°C above 25°C cell temperature — roughly 0.0% at warm-season highs here (estimate).
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with dust abrasion the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #9 largest solar power plant of 27 in Algeria by capacity.
Algeria has 27 solar power plants in this dataset, together about 680 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Ain Arnet power plant · Gas · 1,014 MW · Sétif
- Ras el Oued · Solar · 20 MW · Bordj Bou Arreridj
- Ain Djasser · Gas · 793.6 MW · Batna
- Hauts Plateaux Est · Solar · 73.8 MW · Batna
- Oued el Ma · Solar · 20 MW · Batna
- Ighil Emda · Hydro · 24 MW · Setif
Location
Coordinates 35.88, 5.475 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Ain Azel?
Ain Azel is a 20 MW solar power plant in Setif, Algeria.
Who operates Ain Azel?
Ain Azel is operated by Sonelgaz SpA [100%].