Completed Mixed AidData Chinese Aid

CZEC provides grant for Birine Nuclear Research Center Upgrade and Renovation Project

Funder	China Zhongyuan International Engineering Co., Ltd.
Recipient Organization	Birine Nuclear Research Center
Country	Algeria
Start Date	Dec 29, 2014
End Date	Apr 03, 2030
Duration	5,574 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`104350`

Grant Description

In the 1980s, the Chinese Government discreetly provided an aid package for the construction of the 15 MWt reactor at the Birine Nuclear Research Center.

The project was completed by China Zhongyuan Engineering Corp (CZEC), the overseas nuclear project platform of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), two months ahead of schedule (in 1992).

By 2014, some of the systems, components, equipment and other associated facilities at the Birine Nuclear Research Center were aging due to many years of operation. The nuclear reactor also needed to be upgraded.

On December 29, 2014, CZEC, and Algeria's Billin Nuclear Research Center signed a contract for the Birine Nuclear Research Center Upgrade and Renovation Project. The Es-Salam research reactor at the Birine Nuclear Research Center achieved stable operations on February 20, 2019. The project as a whole was completed on March 7, 2019.

The project was officially accepted by the Algerian authorities in July 2021.

📋 Staff Comments

This project is also known as the El Salam Nuclear Research Center Upgrade and Renovation Project. The Chinese project title is 阿尔及利亚比林和平堆升级改造项目.
This project is characterized by the State Council as a 'South-South Cooperation' project. Other official sources refer to it as a China-aided project. As such, AidData has coded the project as grant-funded for the time being. However, this issue warrants further investigation.
CNNC and the Algerian Atomic Energy Agency signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on nuclear energy on April 29, 2015.

📚 Sources & References

CNNC contributes to the Belt and Road Initiative
阿尔及利亚和平堆升级改造：在北非大地续写动人诗篇
Es-Salam nuclear reactor
BE to restart reactors
The Es-Salam Reactor at Birine
比林和平堆
CZEC powers African cooperation
CHINA AID ON ALGERIAN REACTOR MAY VIOLATE PLEDGES
The Next Arms Race
Nuclear Revival in North Africa? Developments in Algeria
Libya, and Egypt
阿尔及利亚比林和平堆升级改造后实现首次临界
阿尔及利亚项目：打响中国民用核技术出口“第一炮”, التعاون الثنائي, وزير الطاقة والمناجم يستقبل رئيس فريق العمل المتخصص الجزائري الصيني للتعاون في مجال الصناعة النووية
Algerian research reactor restarts after upgrades
The Es-Salam Reactor at Birine
Nuclear project
China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.