Tunisia produces less electricity than it consumes

African Manager

6 days ago

Mohamed Ali Fenira, a member of the Industry Committee in the Assembly of People's Representatives, stated that Tunisia's electricity production remains insufficient compared to consumption, highlighting the power cuts recorded in several regions of the country since Sunday.
He specified that consumption is close to 5,000 megawatts, while production does not exceed 4,200 megawatts.
Speaking on Express FM, he noted that there is a significant electricity deficit. No imports from Algeria have been possible, as the country faces the same issue. All of Tunisia's electricity comes from Algerian gas, at nearly 100%. Electricity must be available continuously, without interruption. It is imperative to expand the use of photovoltaic energy.
However, he announced that work on the Tunisia-Italy electrical interconnection project (ELMED) will begin next month. This project will allow electricity exchange. Tunisia will have an energy surplus for 8 months (October to June), which it can export to Italy, and import back when needed.
Solar energy development not progressing!
Regarding solar energy, he noted that photovoltaic energy development is not advancing as it should. Many factories want to equip themselves, but the procedures take more than a year, discouraging investors.
He also pointed out that the Tunisian state buys only 30% of the excess electricity produced by factories, at a price of 80 millimes/kWh, whereas in concessions granted to foreign investors, the price is 95 to 100 millimes/kWh. He stressed the lack of incentives, especially for households.
Fenira added that the energy transition failed a first and second time. 'We hope the one planned for 2030-2035 will succeed. This is the only hope to avoid power cuts. Electricity is an absolute priority, and its availability must be continuous. We must massively expand photovoltaic use.'
He also mentioned power cuts in industrial zones and numerous citizen complaints, recalling that the Assembly adopted Bill 65/2025 concerning the guarantee agreement signed on March 12, 2025, between Tunisia and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, to finance natural gas imports by STEG (Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company), with 73 votes in favor, 14 abstentions, and 12 against.
This text relates to the purchase of a quantity of Algerian gas, which is a temporary solution for Tunisia.
The MP also recalled that the 2015 Renewable Energy Law stipulates that the energy strategy must be approved by a ministerial decree after consultation with several ministries, but this has still not been done. This has caused blockages, particularly in land management.
He mentioned the goal of reaching 35% renewable energy by 2030, stating that energy self-sufficiency in electricity is possible, provided that agreements are accelerated and strategies implemented.
He also stressed that several investors have obtained bank approval to finance their photovoltaic projects, which is encouraging. Renewable energy is a goal for the state, investors, and financial institutions.
'Energy independence by 2035 is possible,' he said, while acknowledging that more efforts are needed, particularly on storage solutions and nighttime supply options, such as hydrogen or other alternatives.
He called for a revision of several laws, including those on renewable energy and investment, to remove current obstacles.
Finally, he addressed the debate over the article on projects of national interest, which, once approved, would automatically be considered as having obtained all necessary permits. This primarily concerns energy projects.
Several regions of the country have experienced power cuts due to a heatwave. STEG clarified that these cuts were not due to local technical failures but rather a preventive nationwide measure (load shedding) to avoid a total grid collapse (blackout) in the face of unprecedented consumption peaks.