Currently, the Algerian energy system relies almost exclusively on fossil resources, but a new paradigm is emerging in the country. The Algeria program on renewable energy and energy efficiency established the ambitious goal of deriving 40% of electricity production from renewable energy sources (RES) by 2030. This study addresses the sustainability objectives of this program using a methodology, which combines an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and experts' feedback to evaluate different renewable energy options. The performance of different RES options was assessed against 13 sub-criteria reflecting social, environmental, economic and technical concerns. The results highlighted the importance of social and environmental criteria as the main drivers for the obtained final ranking, with three of these sub-criteria weighting 35% in the decision process. Solar power was shown to be particularly well suited for Algeria, outperforming most of the other renewable options in a large set of highly weighted criteria. Wind power ranked second, followed by biomass, geothermal and lastly by hydropower. Wind and solar power together achieved a total score of more than 0.5 out of 1. From the results, policy implications were drawn and directions for future research were suggested. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.