Two Solar Power Plants to be Built in Tunisia
Two agreements were signed on Wednesday, September 18, during a ceremony at the Government Palace in La Kasbah, for the construction of two solar power plants in Sidi Bouzid and Tozeur.
Official Launch of Construction Works
The official start of construction works is scheduled for today, September 19, 2024, and the commissioning of the stations is expected in 2025.
Ceremony Attendees
The ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, and attended by the Director General of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), as well as representatives from the Norwegian company Scatec and the Japanese company Aeolus. These two companies will finance the construction of the two power plants, each with a capacity of 50 megawatts, at a total cost of 79 million euros, approximately 260.7 million Tunisian dinars.
International Call for Tenders
These projects are part of an international call for tenders launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Industry, aiming to install 500 megawatts of solar energy across several regions, including Gafsa, Tataouine, Sidi Bouzid, Tozeur, and Kairouan.
Other Projects in the Pipeline
Although agreements for Gafsa and Tataouine were signed in May, their operation is expected to begin between 2025 and 2026. The Kairouan project, awarded to Amea Power, will take longer to materialize.
Tunisia's Energy Transition Commitment
During the ceremony, the Secretary of State in charge of Energy Transition reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to achieving 35% of electricity production from renewable energy sources by 2030, with a target of 50% by 2050.
Supporting the Energy Transition
To support this transition, three additional calls for tenders have been launched to install 1700 megawatts of solar and wind energy between 2024 and 2027.
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Tunisia aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 46% and play a key role in the fight against climate change. These projects demonstrate Tunisia's willingness to promote renewable energy and strengthen its energy independence.
