Kickstarting Algeria’s Green Transition
In a new report for the European Council on Foreign Relations, I explore what Europe might do to nudge Algeria to join the green energy transition.
Europe had already set ambitious renewable energy production and import targets before the Ukraine war. Once that conflict threw the continent’s energy security into jeopardy, the hunt for renewables accelerated further. And where better to get clean, green power than from Algeria, the massive, sun-drenched country just south of Europe? Only one problem: amid record demand and spiraling prices, Algeria’s dedication to oil and gas has never looked stronger. How then, might Europe sway Algeria to embrace the green transition?
That’s the question I spent much of my summer answering, through research, interviews, and long hours of writing to produce this report, published last week by the European Council on Foreign Relations, where I’m currently a Visiting Fellow: “Against the flow: Europe’s role in kickstarting Algeria’s green transition.”
Long and wonky, it’s a detailed exploration of Algeria’s energy politics and where European partners might find ways to change incentives and nudge Algeria in a greener direction. Researching it gave me the chance to learn a great deal about the global oil and gas, solar, wind, electricity, and hydrogen markets. Thanks to the rigorous ECFR editors who pushed me hard in honing the piece, it’s also one of the recent products I’m proudest to have written.
Today I’m in Brussels presenting the article at an ECFR event, which I hope will help expand its impact here in the EU capital. Please read, share, and enjoy: “Against the flow: Europe’s role in kickstarting Algeria’s green transition.”
Update, May 2023: Seven months later, I have just written an epilogue of sorts, which examines related developments in Algeria and Europe since my initial article, as well as prospects for future progress. Read it at ECFR: “Renewed energies: How the EU can persuade Algeria to join in the green transition.”
