Tunisia’s Electricity Production Rises 5% in H1 2026, Renewables Reach 9.2%
National electricity production increased by 5% in the first half of 2026, reaching 9,550 GWh by the end of June, compared to 9,058 GWh a year earlier. Despite this growth, the country remains reliant on external imports—primarily from Algeria—which accounted for 10% of domestic demand during the period.
According to the latest energy outlook report from the National Observatory of Energy and Mines (ONEM), production destined for the local market rose by 4%. The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) continues to dominate the national power landscape, generating 91% of the country’s electricity by June 2026.
Renewable Energy & Self-Generation Growth
Renewable energy now accounts for 9.2% of national electricity production. Growth is also evident in self-generation:
- Approximately 500 MW of photovoltaic capacity has been installed on residential rooftops.
- An additional 130 MW has been deployed across medium- and high-voltage networks serving industrial, commercial, and agricultural sectors.
Peak Demand vs. Sales Trends
Peak electricity consumption hit 4,750 MW, a 5% increase from the 4,531 MW recorded at the end of June 2025. This surge occurred even as overall electricity sales grew by just 1% year-on-year.
Breaking down the figures:
- High-voltage customer sales declined by 5%.
- Medium-voltage sales rose by 1%.
- For low-voltage consumers (primarily households), ONEM advises caution in interpreting the data, as bimonthly billing cycles and estimated readings for a portion of invoices still prevent precise measurement of actual consumption.
Industrial Consumption by Sector
Industrial users remain the largest electricity consumers among high- and medium-voltage clients, representing 59% of their combined demand by June 2026. However, trends vary significantly across sectors:
- Chemical & petroleum industry: consumption down 5%
- Construction materials: down 2%
- Paper & publishing: up 8%
- Agricultural water pumping: up 6%
Source: ONEM Energy Outlook Report | Data period: January–June 2026
