Tunisia Achieves Strategic Milestone in Renewable Energy
Tunisia has reached a strategic milestone in renewable energy with the commissioning of a 100-megawatt photovoltaic solar power plant in the Metbassta-Sbikha region, Kairouan Governorate. This is the largest solar project to be put into operation in the country to date.
National Strategy for Renewable Energy
The project is part of the national strategy to strengthen the share of renewable energy in the energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The inauguration ceremony was held on Tuesday, December 16, under the supervision of the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Fatma Thabet Chiboub, in the presence of the Secretary of State for Energy Transition, regional officials, representatives of international financial institutions, and key players in the energy sector.
Project Development and Financing
Developed as part of the first round of calls for tenders for the concession regime, awarded in December 2019, the plant was officially validated by Decree No. 19 of 2021, approving the concession agreements for electricity production and site occupation. The project is led by the international group AMEA Power, in partnership with the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), with the support of funders such as the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of the World Bank.
Economic Benefits
According to the minister, the total investment cost is approximately 250 million dinars. The plant will directly contribute to increasing the rate of integration of renewable energy into the national electricity grid and diversifying the energy mix. In practical terms, it will help meet part of the growing demand for electricity while reducing the use of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas.
Significant Economic Impact
The project represents about 0.5% of the national primary energy consumption in 2024. It is expected to reduce natural gas imports by around $22 million per year, or about 2.3% of imported volumes, and generate an estimated annual savings of $15 million on STEG's fuel expenses. At the local level, the plant has already created 40 direct jobs, mainly for young people in the region.
A Strong Signal to the Market
Beyond the numbers, this project sends a strong signal to the market. For the authorities, meeting the project's deadlines reinforces Tunisia's credibility as an attractive destination for major international investors in the field of clean energy. It is also an important lever to support the state's efforts to rationalize energy subsidies.
Future Projects
This dynamic is expected to continue. The authorities have announced the upcoming commissioning of two new 50-megawatt solar power plants in Mezzouna (Sidi Bouzid) and Tozeur. Additionally, work is planned from 2026 on new projects totaling nearly 600 megawatts in the governorates of Sidi Bouzid, Gafsa, and Gabès. In parallel, 190 preliminary authorizations have already been granted to solar projects of small and medium capacity, representing a cumulative power of around 290 megawatts and an estimated investment volume of 600 million dinars.
Accelerating Energy Transition
With this Kairouan plant, Tunisia is clearly accelerating its energy transition. The message is clear: solar energy is no longer a future option, but a reality that already weighs in the country's economic and energy equation.
