Tunisia's Natural Gas Supply Faces Challenges
Tunisia's natural gas supply is going through a delicate phase, marked by a clear decline in national production and a significant increase in imports. Data published in 2025 by the National Observatory of Energy and Mines shows that local resources, including national production and transit fees for gas passing through the territory, are decreasing year by year. As of the end of May 2025, these resources had fallen by 11% to around 809 kilotons of oil equivalent. By the end of June, they were around 1000 ktep, a decrease of about 9% compared to the previous year.
Increased Dependence on Imports
Tunisia is relying more heavily on imports, mainly from Algeria. The quantities of Algerian gas purchased by Tunisia have increased by more than 20% on several occasions in 2025. As of the end of April, imports had reached around 824 ktep, contributing to a total supply of 1426 ktep. By the end of June, purchases had exceeded 1290 ktep, allowing total supply to exceed 2300 ktep, an increase of about 10% in one year. This trend confirms a structural shift: the share of national gas is decreasing, while dependence on imported gas is becoming essential to meet the country's needs.
Rising Domestic Demand
Domestic demand, on the other hand, continues to increase. It has grown by about 10% in 2025 and remains strongly linked to electricity production, which relies more than 90% on natural gas. The evolution of domestic consumption, the growth of industrial needs, and general energy use are putting pressure on the supply system, making the national balance increasingly fragile.
Preparing for the 2025-2026 Winter
Faced with this structural situation, the Tunisian authorities have decided to take proactive measures for the 2025-2026 winter. During a large committee meeting held on December 8, 2025, under the leadership of the Minister of Trade and Export Development, sectoral officials - ministries, public and private companies - committed to ensuring domestic gas supply.
Official Statement
The official statement from the meeting specifies that the gas bottle filling units located in Ben Arous, Bizerte, and Gabès are currently operating at full capacity, without interruption or technical problems. Unlike previous years, preparations began well in advance of winter, allowing for anticipation of the seasonal increase in demand. Sector players have planned advance import programs, increased stored volumes, strengthened storage capacities, and implemented necessary maintenance operations in the filling units.
Security Stock and Coordination
A security stock will be established to ensure the continuity of supply, even in the event of peak demand or disruption. Enhanced coordination between public and private actors, at the national and regional levels, has been decided, with monitoring and rapid intervention mechanisms. Emphasis has been placed on the social aspect: distribution will prioritize interior areas, often subject to difficult climatic conditions, to ensure equitable access to domestic gas.
