Tunisia Accelerates its Energy Transition: Aiming for a Sustainable and Sovereign Model
The Tunisian government is highlighting four decades of commitment to energy transition on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME). This milestone marks the central role of an institution that has become a key player in the country's energy sovereignty and sustainable development.
A New Phase of Energy Transition
Tunisia has accelerated its energy transition, with a focus on a sustainable and sovereign model. The share of renewable energies in the Tunisian electricity mix reached around 6% by the end of 2025, according to official figures, and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Projections indicate an increase to 9% with the commissioning of new power plants, before reaching nearly 10% by the end of 2026, confirming the gradual acceleration of the national energy transition.
Presenting Progress at the National Energy Transition Congress
These advances were presented at the opening of the National Energy Transition Congress, held on May 20-21, 2026, in Tunis by the ANME, under the theme "A Just, Sustainable, and Innovative Energy Transition." On this occasion, the Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Wael Chouchane, emphasized that Tunisia has entered a new strategic phase, where energy issues go beyond technical considerations to directly affect national sovereignty and the country's structural choices.
Celebrating 40 Years of ANME
Looking back on the 40th anniversary of the ANME, Chouchane highlighted the agency's historical role in promoting energy efficiency, rationalizing consumption, and developing renewable energies. He also recalled the expertise developed by Tunisia in this field, now recognized at the regional and international levels.
Accelerating Energy Transition
In this context, the authorities insist on the need to accelerate the transformation of the national energy system around two complementary pillars: the development of renewable energies and the strengthening of energy efficiency programs. According to the Secretary of State, the magnitude of the energy deficit makes this evolution unavoidable, while placing the ANME at the heart of supporting this strategic transformation.
Concrete Results on the Ground
Beyond ambitions, results are already beginning to materialize. The Director-General of the ANME, Nafaâ Baccari, indicated that the gradual integration of renewable energies has allowed for significant savings on gas imports, estimated at around 9.6 million dinars, in a context where the national energy bill reached nearly 14 billion euros in 2019.
Notable Achievements
Among the most notable achievements is the widespread adoption of solar water heating, with over one million households equipped with solar thermal systems. This major advance is part of a strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen the country's energy independence.
Ongoing Programs and Projects
Several programs for households are ongoing, including the development of rooftop photovoltaic installations and mechanisms to support energy savings achieved through public policies. Energy efficiency is also being implemented through structuring projects, such as the modernization of public lighting. A program plans to replace around 350,000 light points with high-energy-efficient LED lamps, allowing for up to 30% energy savings. The project, whose financing is already finalized, is expected to be launched in 2027, with a progressive extension depending on the mobilization of additional funding.
Priorities for the Next Phase of Energy Transition
The priorities for the next phase of energy transition are already clear: decarbonization of industry, energy recovery from waste, development of sustainable mobility, and electrification of uses. Local authorities are also called upon to play a greater role in this transformation, particularly through the optimization of public lighting and the improvement of energy efficiency in infrastructure.
A Sustainable Energy Model
Through these projects, Tunisia confirms its orientation towards a more sustainable energy model, based on the diversification of sources, the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels, and the growth of renewable energies. A trajectory that the ANME, with its 40 years of existence, continues to support as a central pillar of a transition qualified as "just, sustainable, and inclusive."
