Energy potential of agricultural biomass residues in Algeria: A national scale assessment

Investigating thе еnеrgy pоtеntial оf аgriсultural biоmass residues hаs becоme increаsingly impоrtant in light оf the prеssing dеmand fоr rеnеwable enеrgy оptiоns that prоducе lоw carbоn emissiоns tо соmbаt climate change. In Algeria, these residues represent a potential resource for diversifying energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This study evaluates the energy potential of agricultural residues that could be mobilized at the national scale. The assessment is grounded in a resource-based approach built from crop production, residue-to-product ratios, calorific value, and availability factor for residues using official agricultural statistics published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Mathematical modeling applies standard Algebraic Summation Equations to calculate Gross Crop Residue Potential (GCRP), Recoverable Residue Potential (RCRP) and Bioenergy Potential (EP). The energy potential was assigned at the provincial level (composed of 48 wilayas) and mapped using Geographic Information Systems to visualize regional disparities across the country. The results show that the total theoretical energy potential of agricultural residues in Algeria is estimated at 93,357.60 TJ. Residues from vegetable crops account for the largest share, representing 49% of the total potential, followed by cereal residues, mainly straw (37%), and arboricultural residues (14%). At the crop level, potatoes contribute the highest share of energy potential (43%), followed by wheat (26%) and barley (10%). Marked regional differences are observed in the distribution of this potential. These differences reflect variations in agricultural production closely linked to local climatic conditions. The wilayas of El Oued, Ain Defla, and Mostaganem show the highest exploitable energy potential, accounting for 11.27%, 7%, and 6%, respectively, of the national total. These results provide a quantitative and spatial basis for considering agricultural biomass within Algeria’s renewable energy strategy. Received: 2026-01-15  Revised: 2026-07-21 Accepted: 2026-08-28 Published: 2026-08-31