Partnership Between SoleCrypt and Schneider Electric to Develop Sustainable AI Data Centers in Tunisia
A New Era for AI and Sustainability
"If everything goes as planned, we hope to be operational by 2027," said Amir Ben-Gacem, co-founder and CEO of SoleCrypt. This statement sets the tone for an ambitious partnership with Schneider Electric, officially announced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Tunisia. The agreement aims to lay the foundation for next-generation data centers designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability.
The Challenge of AI Energy Consumption
AI consumes a significant amount of energy, which can be a major issue, especially in a country facing energy and water tensions. "An infrastructure dedicated to AI requires very high computing capacities and therefore high energy consumption," notes Amir Ben-Gacem. It is impossible to build traditional data centers without rethinking the model. This led to an inverted approach, where the energy equation was solved before constructing the data center.
Green Energy First
The project is based on two pillars developed in parallel:
- Renewable Energy Production: Generating electricity from renewable sources.
- AI Data Center Construction: Building data centers designed as the primary consumers of this green energy.
This choice is made possible by Tunisia's regulatory framework, which allows for the production and self-consumption of renewable energy. According to Amir Ben-Gacem, the project will even generate an energy surplus, contributing to the national objective of 35% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030. Amine Benchekroun, Vice President of IT & Datacenter at Schneider Electric Africa, shares this vision: "Green energy is no longer an option for a data center." For him, sustainability and performance can no longer be dissociated.
Key Regions: Tozeur and Bizerte
SoleCrypt has already identified two strategic regions:
- Tozeur: In southern Tunisia, the project leverages a strong solar potential. SoleCrypt has an agreement for a 60-megawatt renewable energy production capacity.
- Bizerte: The focus is on connectivity and proximity to power stations, with access to undersea fiber optic cables and low latency to Europe (less than 10 milliseconds). Amine Benchekroun also highlights these criteria, noting that Tunisia checks several strategic boxes.
Performance, Sustainability, and Profitability
Both partners share the same discourse on the key principles:
- A data center must be performant to be viable.
- However, if it relies on fossil fuels, it is no longer acceptable. Amine Benchekroun believes that investments in renewable energy are not only necessary but also profitable in the long term, reducing energy costs and carbon footprint while meeting customer and regulatory requirements.
Human Capital: A Tunisian Asset
Beyond energy and infrastructure, another point brings the visions of the two leaders together: human capital. Amir Ben-Gacem highlights local skills, particularly in telecommunications and engineering. Amine Benchekroun agrees, emphasizing the importance of human capital and the potential of Tunisian talent to support complex technological projects.
A Structuring Technological Partnership
As part of this agreement, Schneider Electric will intervene as a key technological partner, providing reference architectures for AI data centers co-developed with Nvidia, as well as electrification, secure power, liquid cooling, and intelligent management solutions via EcoStruxure IT. The project is currently in the study phase, with financial closing expected by the end of the year. Work could follow quickly, with a progressive rollout planned for 2027. Further announcements are expected in the coming months.
