Feasibility study of hybrid Diesel–PV power plants in the southern of Algeria: Case study on AFRA power plant

Abstract Nowadays levelized electricity cost of diesel power plants in the southern of Algeria is relatively higher because of its low efficiency compared to other modern plants, high maintenance and operations costs and many other difficulties to feed with fossil fuel due to its arid area. In the present study, we investigate the feasibility of hybridization of AFRA diesel power plant with a photovoltaic (PV) system whereby the performances of each part have been simulated. In order to do so, the meteorological data of the selected plant location as well as its technical data are first collected. Then, an annual technico – economic analysis is applied to test the feasibility of such hybrid plant. The simulation results confirm that the hybrid configuration is truly feasible even though the levelized electricity cost is very sensible to fossil fired fuel cost.