NAPEC 2026 Opens in Oran Today as Algeria Puts Energy Transition and Hydrogen in Focus

• The Arab Post
• . October 5, 2026
• . Update: October 5, 2026 7:31 pm
• 15 Views

Today is one of the most important days for the Mediterranean energy sector with the opening of the doors of the highly awaited NAPEC 2026 in Oran. The 14th edition of the North Africa Energy & Hydrogen Exhibition (NAFEX 2014) is gathering thousands of professionals from around the globe in Algeria’s western capital, Mohamed-Benahmed Convention Center (CCO), to attend. More than 450 exhibitors, 230 speakers from around the world make the event a cornerstone of the country’s strategic shift towards sustainable energy. The government’s aggressive campaign for the Algeria energy transition is a clear message that clean technology and the rapid growth of hydrogen in Algeria is the key to the future.

Driving the Algeria Energy Transition

Algeria is well known over many decades as a dynamic natural gas and oil producer. The need for climate change, however, and the volatility of global markets has been hastening a national policy change. The Algerian Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies is actively driving Algeria’s transition to a diversified and sustainable energy matrix today.

NAPEC 2026 aims directly at the crossroads of the traditional production of hydrocarbons and the green innovation, which is the focal point of the conference. The state is looking to meet domestic demand for renewable energy by using mainly solar and wind power, and is also looking to release natural gas reserves for export to other countries. This two-pronged solution provides economic security but also helps to decrease the carbon emissions of the renewable energy industry.

The Theme: From Energy Transition To Energy Addition

This year’s conference’s official theme is “From Energy Transition To Energy Addition”. This is a frame that recognizes the inability of expanding economies to give up traditional hydrocarbons right now. Rather, NAPEC’s official platform advocates for “adding” clean, low-carbon solutions to the existing infrastructure, like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

Unlocking the Future of Hydrogen in Algeria

The biggest potential for hydrogen in Algeria surely is the one that’s most exciting from the week. The country has a large existing gas export pipeline network and can also take advantage of its massive solar energy potential, and is well positioned to be a major exporter of green hydrogen to Europe.

Algérie Press Service (APS) reports that the conference is being held to finalise multilateral agreements and agreements with Algeria’s neighbours, the Maghrib. The sector has some key strategic highlights worth mentioning are:

• The SoutH2 Corridor Project: A gigantic, 1,864-mile-long pipeline to move up to four million tons of green hydrogen per year from North Africa to Italy, Austria and Germany was recently formalized in multinational declarations. 
• Desalination Synergies: Using Algeria’s expanding fleet of seawater desalination plants to provide the huge amounts of water needed for desalination via electrolysis. 
• European Union Partnerships: Continuous discussions with the EU to access funding and technical assistance for implementing large-scale hydrogen production sites in the Sahara. 

The Role of Sonatrach and Global Partnerships

Sonatrach has a pivotal role in the Algeria energy transition and cannot be overlooked. The state-owned oil and gas major is staking its claim as a full-fledged energy firm on top of its oil and gas business. Sonatrach executives will be presenting their new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with international technology companies for reducing methane emissions and integrating more solar in the local grid at NAPEC 2026.

In addition, every international institution that monitors such aspects has reported that the modernisation of North African energy networks is essential for overall security of the Mediterranean. With the help of global tracking systems such as Anadolu Agency, such Algerian investments are constantly highlighted as they make a significant contribution to the stability of European energy demand and to job creation in the region.

Algerian Ministry of Energy Development Initiatives

At the start of NAPEC 2026 in Oran today, the show is a clear turning point for the North Africa Energy & Hydrogen Exhibition and the region as a whole. The country’s efforts to push Algeria’s energy transition and pave the way for green hydrogen in Algeria firmly place it on the path of a forward-looking energy supplier on the international market. Many of the partnerships created and technologies presented this week will undoubtedly lay the foundation for the future of renewable energy in the Mediterranean for decades to come.

FAQs

What is NAPEC 2026?

The 14th edition of the North Africa Energy & Hydrogen Exhibition and Conference is taking place in Oran, Algeria. It plays a critical role in terms of networking opportunities for all important players in hydrocarbons, renewable energy, and hydrogen industry.

Why is hydrogen in Algeria so important?

Thanks to significant solar energy resources, as well as pipeline connections with Europe, Algeria is ideally positioned to produce and export green hydrogen as a new source of income and contribute to the global decarbonization process.

How is the Algeria energy transition progressing?

The country follows the “Energy Addition” concept, integrating various solar power plants and hydrogen projects with traditional natural gas projects in order to ensure energy security and sustainable growth in exports.

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